Stretched or pulled out: an extended telescope. 2. Continued for a long period of time; protracted: had an extended vacation in the Alps. 3. Enlarged or broad in meaning, scope, or influence: an extended sense of the word honest. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. To extend something is to make it longer, either physically or in terms of time. Anything extended has been stretched out in this way. An extended rubber band will snap back or break. An extended hose can be used to put out a fire. If you live with your parents in your twenties, it's like an extended childhood. (Definition of extended from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press) His way of life in a goldfish bowl is what now passes for normality for his wife and her extended family. Adjective extended (comparative more extended, superlative most extended) Longer in length or extension; elongated. Stretched out or pulled out; expanded. Lasting longer; protracted. (Definition of extended from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Learn what extended means with clear definitions, pronunciation, synonyms, and real-world examples. Simple explanations to help you use extended correctly. The meaning of EXTENDED is drawn out in length especially of time. How to use extended in a sentence. The meaning of EXTEND is to spread or stretch forth : unbend. How to use extend in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Extend. Something that is extended has been fully stretched out or elongated. An extended period of time is an extremely long period of time.