1. portable beds or frames used to carry sick or injured people
Usage: medical
2. devices used to expand or widen something, especially shoes
3. horizontal crosspieces that connect and strengthen the legs of chairs or tables
Usage: furniture

Examples

• The paramedics loaded the patient onto one of the stretchers.
• Emergency stretchers were lined up outside the hospital.
• She used shoe stretchers to make her boots more comfortable.
• The wooden stretchers helped widen his tight dress shoes.
• The chair’s stretchers provided extra stability between the legs.
• The antique table had ornate carved stretchers connecting its base.