Extend means to make something longer, wider, or last for more time. When you extend your arm to reach a book on a high shelf, you're stretching it out to its full length. When a teacher extends a deadline, she's giving students more time to finish an assignment.

The word can apply to physical things or abstract concepts. A builder might extend a house by adding a new room. A company might extend an offer of employment, meaning they're reaching out to give someone a job. When you extend a helping hand to a classmate, you're offering assistance.

Extension is the noun form: a deadline extension gives you extra time, while an extension cord makes an electrical outlet reach farther across a room.

The word also means to continue over a certain distance or area. The Appalachian Trail extends from Georgia to Maine, covering over 2,000 miles. A forest might extend for miles in every direction.

When someone extends kindness, courtesy, or hospitality, they're offering it generously. If your grandparents extend an invitation to visit, they're warmly welcoming you to their home.