1 VERB If you say that something, usually something large, extends for a particular distance or extends from one place to another, you are indicating its size or position. □ [V + for ] The caves extend for some 18 kilometres. □ [V + to ] The main stem will extend to around 12ft, if left to develop naturally. □ [V amount] Our personal space extends about 12 to 18 inches around us. □ [V from n to n] Diyala extends from the suburbs of Baghdad to the Iranian border. □ [V + over ] The new territory would extend over one-fifth of Canada's land mass. [Also V + to ]
2 VERB If an object extends from a surface or place, it sticks out from it. □ [V + from ] A shelf of land extended from the escarpment.
3 VERB If an event or activity extends over a period of time, it continues for that time. □ [V from n to n] …a playing career in first-class cricket that extended from 1894 to 1920. □ [V + over ] The courses are based on a weekly two-hour class, extending over a period of 25 weeks. [Also V + to ]
4 VERB If something extends to a group of people, things, or activities, it includes or affects them. □ [V + to ] The service also extends to wrapping and delivering gifts. □ [V + beyond ] His influence extends beyond the TV viewing audience.
5 VERB If you extend something, you make it longer or bigger. □ [V n] This year they have introduced three new products to extend their range. □ [be V -ed] The building was extended in 1500. □ [V -ed] …an extended exhaust pipe.
6 VERB If a piece of equipment or furniture extends , its length can be increased. □ [V ] … a table which extends to accommodate extra guests. □ [V + to ] The table extends to 220cm.
7 VERB If you extend something, you make it last longer than before or end at a later date. □ [V n] They have extended the deadline by twenty-four hours. □ [V -ed] …an extended contract.
8 VERB If you extend something to other people or things, you make it include or affect more people or things. □ [V n + to ] It might be possible to extend the technique to other crop plants.
9 VERB If someone extends their hand, they stretch out their arm and hand to shake hands with someone. □ [V n] The man extended his hand: 'I'm Chuck'. SYNONYMS extend VERB 5
widen: The search for my brother widened.
increase: The population continues to increase.
develop: She won a grant to develop her own business.
enlarge: …the plan to enlarge Ewood Park into a 30,000 all-seater stadium.
broaden: We must broaden our appeal.
ex|tend|able / I kste ndəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is extendable can be made longer. □ These were hung in place with extendable rods.
ex|tend|ed / I kste nd I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] If something happens for an extended period of time, it happens for a long period of time. □ Any child who receives dedicated teaching over an extended period is likely to improve.
2 → see also extend
ex|te nd|ed fa mi|ly (extended families ) N‑COUNT An extended family is a family group which includes relatives such as uncles, aunts, and grandparents, as well as parents, children, and brothers and sisters. □ Young mothers in such a community have the support of their extended family.
ex|ten|sion / I kste nʃ ə n/ (extensions )
1 N‑COUNT An extension is a new room or building which is added to an existing building or group of buildings.
2 N‑COUNT An extension is a new section of a road or rail line that is added to an existing road or line. □ …the Jubilee Line extension.
3 N‑COUNT An extension is an extra period of time for which something lasts or is valid, usually as a result of official permission. □ [+ of ] He first entered Britain on a six-month visa, and was given a further extension of six months.
4 N‑COUNT Something that is an extension of something else is a development of it that includes or affects more people, things, or activities. □ [+ of ] He saw his civil rights activity as an extension of his ministry.
5 N‑COUNT An extension is a phone line that is connected to the switchboard of a company or institution, and that has its own number. The written abbreviation ext. is also used. □ She can get me on extension 308.
6 N‑COUNT An extension is a part which is connected to a piece of equipment in order to make it reach something further away. □ …a 30-foot extension cord.
ex|ten|sive ◆◇◇ / I kste ns I v/
1 ADJ Something that is extensive covers or includes a large physical area. □ …an extensive tour of Latin America. □ When built, the palace and its grounds were more extensive than the city itself. ● ex|ten|sive|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Mark, however, needs to travel extensively with his varied business interests.
2 ADJ Something that is extensive covers a wide range of details, ideas, or items. □ There was extensive coverage of World Book Day on the BBC. □ The facilities available are very extensive. ● ex|ten|sive|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed] □ All these issues have been extensively researched in recent years.
3 ADJ If something is extensive , it is very great. □ The blast caused extensive damage, shattering the ground-floor windows. □ The security forces have extensive powers of search and arrest. ● ex|ten|sive|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] □ Hydrogen is used extensively in industry for the production of ammonia.