spread out
verb
spread out; spreading out; spreads out
1
: to open, arrange, or place (something) over a large area
He spread out the map on the table.
He spread the cards out on the table.
The cards were spread out across the table.
2
: to be open, arranged, or extended over a large area
The city is spread out over a wide area.
3
: to move (parts of the body) outward or away from each other
Spread your arms out.
There's no room on the couch to spread yourself out.
4
: to divide up (something) over a period of time or among members of a group
They spread the work out among the committee members.
The course is spread out over two semesters.
5
: to move apart from the other members of a group especially to search an area
The police spread out to search the area faster.
Examples of spread out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The payments were spread out from spring 2022 to late 2024, which overlapped with Williamson’s time as Newsom’s chief of staff.
—
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
By the weekend, the energy spreads out even more.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
There are plenty of areas to grow between consistent perimeter defense, long-range shooting and more spread out scoring.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The location is smaller than Nike’s prior SoHo store, with just one large floor rather than spread out across five floors.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread out
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Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
By the weekend, the energy spreads out even more.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
There are plenty of areas to grow between consistent perimeter defense, long-range shooting and more spread out scoring.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The location is smaller than Nike’s prior SoHo store, with just one large floor rather than spread out across five floors.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread out
Cite this Entry
“Spread out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spread%20out. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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