elon·gate
i-ˈlȯŋ-ˌgāt 
(ˌ)ē-,
ˈē-ˌlȯŋ-
elongated; elongating
: to extend the length of
: to grow in length
elongate
2 of 2variant of elongate entry 1
Did you know?
Elongate is often found in scientific writing, but the adjective elongated is more common, and frequently used to describe body parts in discussions of anatomy. This was even the case when the superhero Elongated Man made his appearance back in 1960. But some other characters with the same powers—Plastic Man, Elastic Lad, and Mr. Fantastic—ended up having longer careers.
Synonyms
Examples of elongate in a Sentence
Verb
These stretching exercises can help elongate your leg muscles.
New medical procedures have elongated the careers of many athletes.
the giraffe's elongate neck is thought to be the result of natural selection
Recent Examples on the Web
Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2024
The top may be fitted more along this lower silhouette to elongate the body.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024
Some feature high waists to elongate legs or pleats to conjure old-school élan worthy of Cary Grant.
—Charlie Teasdale, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
The fragment, which was cleaved from its fecal parent with a pair of wire cutters, resembles a chunk of light-colored concrete with darker, elongate inclusions that Chin recognizes as bone.
—Karen Wright, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
See all Example Sentences for elongate 
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Verb
For those with rounder faces, a fringe can add interest and elongate the face, and bangs can have a softening effect on those with more angular features.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2024
The top may be fitted more along this lower silhouette to elongate the body.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024
Some feature high waists to elongate legs or pleats to conjure old-school élan worthy of Cary Grant.
—Charlie Teasdale, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
The fragment, which was cleaved from its fecal parent with a pair of wire cutters, resembles a chunk of light-colored concrete with darker, elongate inclusions that Chin recognizes as bone.
—Karen Wright, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
See all Example Sentences for elongate
Dictionary Entries Near elongate
Cite this Entry
“Elongate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elongate. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elongate
1 of 2 verb
elon·gate
i-ˈlȯŋ-ˌgāt
elongated; elongating
: to make or grow longer
elongation
noun
(ˌ)ē-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən
elongate
2 of 2 adjective
variants
or elongated
i-ˈlȯŋ-ˌgāt-əd
: stretched out
especially
: being much greater in length than in width
Medical Definition
elongate
1 of 2 verb
elon·gate
i-ˈlȯŋ-ˌgāt
elongated; elongating
: to extend the length of
: to grow in length
elongate
2 of 2 adjective
variants
or elongated
: long in proportion to width
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