Extend /ɪkˈstend/ verb
1. TIME [intransitive + adverb/preposition,transitive]: to continue for a longer period of time, or to make something last longer:
● Management have agreed to extend the deadline.
extend for/into/over etc
● Some of our courses extend over two years.
extend something for/by/until something
● The government has extended the ban on the import of beef until June.
2. AREA/DISTANCE [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]: to continue for a particular distance or over a particular area
across/over/through etc
● The River Nile extends as far south as Lake Victoria.
extend 100 km/30 yards etc (from something)
● The shelf extends 20 cms from the bookcase.
3. SIZE [transitive]: to make a room, building, road etc bigger or longer:
● We plan to extend the kitchen by six feet.
4. INCLUDE/AFFECT
a) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]: to affect or include people, things, or places
extend to/beyond etc
● My duties at the school extend beyond just teaching.
● The vote was extended to all women aged 21 and over in 1928.
b) [transitive]: to make something affect more people, situations, areas etc than before:
● British Coal is planning to extend its operations in Wales.
extend something to somebody/something
● We can extend our insurance cover to travel abroad.
5. OFFER HELP/THANKS [transitive] formal: to officially offer someone help, sympathy, thanks etc
extend something to somebody
● We’d like to extend a warm welcome to our French visitors.
6. ARMS/LEGS [transitive]: to stretch out a hand or leg:
● George extended his hand (=offered to shake hands).
7. CONTINUE WINNING [transitive]: to increase the number of points, games etc by which one person or team is ahead of other competitors:
● Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the table to 10 points.
8. FURNITURE [intransitive and transitive]: if a table or ladder extends, it can be made longer ⇒ fold