lengthen
verb
length·en
ˈleŋ(k)-thən 
ˈlen(t)-
lengthened; lengthening
ˈleŋ(k)th-niŋ,
ˈlen(t)th-;
ˈleŋ(k)-thə-
ˈlen(t)-
: to make longer
: to grow longer
Synonyms
Examples of lengthen in a Sentence
The days lengthened with the approach of spring.
Proper care will lengthen the life of the engine.
lengthen a pair of trousers
Recent Examples on the Web
In the air, the 6.9-foot-wide (2.1-m) wing increases lift and improves glide with the intent of lengthening the overall flight distance and time in the air.
—
New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
Easter cactus, for example, begins blooming when days lengthen in early spring.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2024
This also happens to be one of the last Bugs Bunny shorts made before another animator in Clampett’s unit, Robert McKimson, refreshed the bunny’s design: raising him a little taller, lengthening his ears, and widening his mouth to accentuate his murine mandibles.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
White House and State Department officials held their breath when the short cease-fire began in November 2023, hopeful it could be lengthened until an uneasy peace turned into the status quo.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lengthen 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
Easter cactus, for example, begins blooming when days lengthen in early spring.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2024
This also happens to be one of the last Bugs Bunny shorts made before another animator in Clampett’s unit, Robert McKimson, refreshed the bunny’s design: raising him a little taller, lengthening his ears, and widening his mouth to accentuate his murine mandibles.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
White House and State Department officials held their breath when the short cease-fire began in November 2023, hopeful it could be lengthened until an uneasy peace turned into the status quo.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lengthen
Dictionary Entries Near lengthen
Cite this Entry
“Lengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lengthen. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lengthen
verb
length·en
ˈleŋ(k)-thən
ˈlen(t)-
lengthened; lengthening
ˈleŋ(k)th-(ə-)niŋ
ˈlen(t)th-
: to make or become longer
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share