extender
verbCEFR B2
What does “extender” mean in English?
to extend, to spread
to extend, to spread (transitive or reflexive; extenderse a = move to new area; extenderse por = spread across)
Example sentences
El programa piloto se extendió a cinco regiones más después de demostrar resultados positivos en la primera fase.
The pilot programme extended to five more regions after demonstrating positive results in the first phase.
La influencia del movimiento se extendió rápidamente por toda América Latina a lo largo de los años ochenta.
The movement's influence spread rapidly across all of Latin America throughout the 1980s.
La empresa decidió extender el plazo de matriculación para dar cabida a más solicitantes.
The company decided to extend the registration deadline to accommodate more applicants.
How to use it
Extender(se) means 'to extend' or 'to spread'. The transitive form takes a direct object: extender el programa, extender la red. The reflexive extenderse (por) means 'to spread across' or 'to extend over': el incendio se extendió por el bosque. At B2 both forms are needed. Don't confuse with ampliar (to expand/broaden — focuses on increasing size) — extender focuses on spreading over space or prolonging over time. The noun is la extensión.
Common mistake
Extender (transitive, spread/extend something) vs. extenderse (reflexive, spread across a space). The preposition changes meaning: extenderse a (to move/expand to a new place) vs. extenderse por (to spread over/across a space). Don't confuse with prolongar (to prolong — specifically temporal extension of duration).