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
Based on the trends seen in those data, on average, U.S. residents have gone from experiencing two heat waves each summer in the 1960s to more than six today—and the duration of those heat waves has lengthened from three days to four.
—
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 19 June 2024
Think: the volumizing Panorama mascara that manages to lengthen and define each lash, or the Color Riche Satin Lipstick—both of which have made their way into Kendall Jenner’s 2024 beauty routine.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 June 2024
Chloe Kang, the student representative on the board and a rising junior at Liberty High School, suggested that the board lengthen the sign-up window for interested speakers.
—Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2024
Although many of these Israelis have ended their service, some are still mobilized, and Israel plans to lengthen service in the future despite the cost to the Israeli economy and the disruption to ordinary Israelis’ lives.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lengthen 
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 19 June 2024
Think: the volumizing Panorama mascara that manages to lengthen and define each lash, or the Color Riche Satin Lipstick—both of which have made their way into Kendall Jenner’s 2024 beauty routine.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 June 2024
Chloe Kang, the student representative on the board and a rising junior at Liberty High School, suggested that the board lengthen the sign-up window for interested speakers.
—Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2024
Although many of these Israelis have ended their service, some are still mobilized, and Israel plans to lengthen service in the future despite the cost to the Israeli economy and the disruption to ordinary Israelis’ lives.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lengthen
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lengthen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lengthen
Cite this Entry
“Lengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lengthen. Accessed 4 Jul. 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
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