backstretch

noun

back·​stretch ˈbak-ˌstrech How to pronounce backstretch (audio)
: the side opposite the homestretch on a racecourse

Examples of backstretch in a Sentence

The horses are in the backstretch.
Recent Examples on the Web Hernandez, aboard Mystik Dan for three starts before Justin Leparoux piloted in the Southwest, picked off horses down the backstretch while the Asmussen horses dueled themselves into submission. Bob Wisener, arkansasonline.com, 4 Feb. 2024 The pace slowed on the backstretch, and around the turn National Treasure started to make his move. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2024 He was vanned off the track and taken to the backstretch equine hospital at Santa Anita, where he was evaluated. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2023 As the Andretti Autosport driver crashed into the Turn 2 wall, the car went airborne, flipping over and sliding down the backstretch. Rob Peeters, The Indianapolis Star, 28 May 2023 The race was won by Richard Petty in a duel with a young Darrell Waltrip but also was known for a brawl on the backstretch featuring Cale Yarborough and brothers Bobby and Donnie Allison following a late wreck. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Nov. 2023 Skinner broke slowly, trailed the other six starters by three lengths going into the first turn, rallied down the backstretch, briefly lost contact with the leaders again on the far turn then rallied in the stretch to pass Newgrange — who finished third in this race for a second straight year. Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2023 Gutierrez said that the 53-year-old experienced rider and the filly, a young female horse, were warming up and on the backstretch of the course when the incident occurred. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 22 Oct. 2023 Denny Hamlin led 33 laps early in the race before overtaking Kyle Larson, who led a race-high 85 laps, on the final lap while making contact on the backstretch and pulling away to win by 1.307-seconds. Ellen J. Horrow, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backstretch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backstretch was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near backstretch

Cite this Entry

“Backstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstretch. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

backstretch

noun
back·​stretch -ˌstrech How to pronounce backstretch (audio)
-ˈstrech
: the side of a racetrack that is opposite the part between the last turn and the finish line
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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