stretcher

1 of 2

noun

stretch·​er ˈstre-chər 

1

a

: one that stretches

especially : a device or machine for stretching or expanding something

b

: an exaggerated story : a tall tale

2

a

: a brick or stone laid with its length parallel to the face of the wall

b

: a timber or rod used especially when horizontal as a tie in framed work

3

: a device for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person

4

: a rod or bar extending between two legs of a chair or table

stretcher

2 of 2

verb

stretchered; stretchering; stretchers

transitive verb

: to carry or transport on a stretcher

Examples of stretcher in a Sentence

Noun

They carried her out to the ambulance on a stretcher.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Drones can be seen near the scene of the strike as responders load the injured onto stretchers and into emergency vehicles. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Thousands protested when police carried Maricarmen, who used a wheelchair, on a stretcher from her home of seven decades last month. — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

Others showed chaotic scenes as officials worked to stretcher the wounded onto helicopters to be airlifted to hospital. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025

One person was rescued by firefighters using a rigid basket or stretcher and lowered by a rope system to the ground. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stretcher

• etcher
• lecher

Kids Definition

stretcher

noun

stretch·​er

ˈstrech-ər

1

: one that stretches

especially : a device or machine for stretching or expanding something

2

: a device that resembles a cot and is used for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person

Medical Definition

stretcher

noun

stretch·​er ˈstrech-ər 

: a device for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person