1
: to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted
3
: to let out : divulge
spill a secret
4
a
: to relieve (a sail) from the pressure of the wind so as to reef or furl it
b
: to relieve the pressure of (wind) on a sail by coming about or by adjusting the sail with lines
5
: to throw off or out
a horse spilled him
1
a
: to flow, run, or fall out, over, or off and become wasted, scattered, or lost
water spilling over the dam
b
: to cause or allow something to spill
2
: to spread profusely or beyond bounds
crowds spilled into the streets
3
: to fall from one's place (as on a horse)
spiller
noun
see also:
1
: a wooden splinter
2
: a small roll or twist of paper or slip of wood for lighting a fire
Examples of spill in a Sentence
Verb
I accidentally spilled coffee all over my new suit.
Clean up the flour you spilled on the floor.
a puddle of spilled water
Water spilled over the dam.
She opened the door and light spilled into the room.
an interviewer who gets celebrities to spill their secrets
Come on, spill it. Who gave you the money?
Noun (1)
she tripped over the toy and had a nasty spill on the stairs
Recent Examples on the Web
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Now more investors in several private credit firms are trying to pull their money out of the industry — and the panic is spilling over into the stock market.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Grace McCarty, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
Health officials said no illnesses linked to the spill have been reported in Maryland, adding that drinking water systems remain unaffected.
—Mathew Schumer, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spill
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Verb
An open kitchen flows right into the dining room and living room, both of which are surrounded by glass doors that spill through to the pool area.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Now more investors in several private credit firms are trying to pull their money out of the industry — and the panic is spilling over into the stock market.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
Dyson’s powerful motor sucks up everything from dirt and dust to spills and stains on carpet, tile, and hardwood flooring using a smart sensor to indicate dirt levels.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
Health officials said no illnesses linked to the spill have been reported in Maryland, adding that drinking water systems remain unaffected.
—Mathew Schumer, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spill
Cite this Entry
“Spill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spill. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spill
1 of 2 verb1
: to cause (blood) to flow by wounding or killing
2
a
: to cause or allow to fall, flow, or run out by accident
spilled some flour on the floor
b
: to fall or run out so as to be lost or wasted
the milk spilled
c
: to spread beyond limits
crowds spilled into the streets
3
: to throw off or out
a horse spilled its rider
4
: to let out : give away
spilled the secret
spiller
noun
spill
2 of 2 noun1
a
: an act or instance of spilling
b
: a fall from a horse or vehicle
2
: something spilled
cleaning up an oil spill
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