(to cause something) to become wider, longer; a continuous period of time, extent of country etc
expanse
Cases of word usage
1) a stretch of water joining two seas (channel)
2) the quality of being able to move or stretch a little; to present (something) to another person without being paid or receiving anything in exchange (give)
3) a raised line where two sloping surfaces meet; a long mountain range; a long stretch of high land between the tops of a line of hills (ridge)
4) a stretch of land, especially regarding its natural features (terrain)
5) a stretch or area (of forest, farmland etc); a system of related parts in an animal body; a short printed essay, especially in a moral or religious subject (tract)