spread

1 of 2

verb

spread; spreading

transitive verb

1
a
: to open or expand over a larger area
spread out the map
b
: to stretch out : extend
spread its wings for flight
2
a
: to distribute over an area
spread fertilizer
b
: to distribute over a period or among a group
spread the work over a few weeks
c
: to apply on a surface
spread butter on bread
d(1)
: to cover or overlay something with
spread the cloth on the table
(2)
archaic : to cover completely
e(1)
: to prepare or furnish for dining : set
spread the table
(2)
: serve
spread the afternoon tea
3
a
: to make widely known
spread the news
b
: to extend the range or incidence of
spread a disease
c
: diffuse, emit
flowers spreading their fragrance
4
: to push apart by weight or force

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become dispersed, distributed, or scattered
b
: to become known or disseminated
panic spread rapidly
2
: to grow in length or breadth : expand
3
: to move apart (as from pressure or weight) : separate
spreadability noun
spreadable adjective

spread

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the act or process of spreading
b
: extent of spreading
2
: something spread out: such as
a
: a surface area : expanse
b(1)
: a ranch or homestead especially in the western U.S.
(2)
Western US : a herd of animals
c(1)
: a prominent display in a periodical
(2)
: two facing pages (as of a newspaper) usually with matter running across the fold
also : the matter occupying these pages
3
: something spread on or over a surface: such as
a
: a food to be spread (as on bread or crackers)
a cheese spread
b
: a sumptuous meal : feast
c
: a cloth cover for a table or bed
4
: distance between two points : gap
5
: a commodities market transaction in which a participant hedges with simultaneous long and short options in different commodities or different delivery dates in the same commodity

Examples of spread in a Sentence

Verb The newspaper was spread across his lap. Her notes were spread all over the desk. Help me spread the cloth on the table. We spread fertilizer on our yard. The seeds are spread by wind, birds, and animals. The fire spread quickly through the building. The cancer has spread to her throat. The use of computer technology has spread into all fields of work. The odor spread throughout the room. The fashion quickly spread from France to England. Noun She offered crackers and a cheese spread. He uses low-fat spread on his toast.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Here's what to do: Stay calm: Panicking can increase your heart rate and spread the venom more quickly. The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024 Her decision to leave was an act of protest after Spotify continued to distribute The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, which was spreading misinformation about COVID-19. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 However, the agency has also warned that growing outbreaks abroad and gaps of immunity within the U.S. left some communities vulnerable to measles spread. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024 Unfortunately, those problems have now spread to other terra cotta units − hence the netting to be wrapped on to the building, Muhs said. Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024 Young got his music removed from Spotify after accusing the platform of spreading COVID-19 misinformation by hosting the popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024 And the news spread when people ran into the streets. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024 The time stamp became code for the act of smoking weed, and eventually spread beyond the Golden State's borders to none other than The Grateful Dead. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 11 Mar. 2024 Generally, a red, blotchy rash appears first on the face and rapidly spreads to the chest, back, thighs and feet. Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
Other images show people lying on the ground in the main concert hall before a fire breaks out and spreads, trapping some inside. Nick Spicer, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024 If your tools need a deeper clean, wipe any metal parts with rubbing alcohol (particularly pruners and loppers) to prevent the spread of disease to other plants. Halee Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2024 Our research offers a perhaps counterintuitive solution to disagreements about moderation: Platforms should give up on trying to prevent the spread of information that is simply false, and focus instead on preventing the spread of information that can be used to cause harm. Scott Duke Kominers, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024 Making sure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations are also essential to preventing the spread, the center said. Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 Although experts have touted positive uses for AI, many worry about potentially disastrous consequences including security risks, unmitigated spread of disinformation and even human extinction. Krystal Hur, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 Editors’ Picks For families in the shelters, there was confusion and worry as news spread of the policy. Miriam Jordan, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024 Target and other retailers invested heavily in self-checkout options during the pandemic to limit human interaction and mitigate the spread of the virus as well as to save on labor costs. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 But the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine has lowered trust in other vaccines, risking outbreaks of diseases – measles, for instance – once thought all but eradicated. Chris Mueller, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spread.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprǣdan; akin to Old High German spreiten to spread

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of spread was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near spread

Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spread. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spread

1 of 2 verb
spread; spreading
1
a
: to open over a larger area
spread out a map
b
: to stretch out : extend
spread her arms wide
2
a
: to scatter over an area
spread fertilizer
b
: to give out over a period or among a group
spread the work over several weeks
c
: to put a layer of on a surface
spread butter on bread
d
: to cover something with
spread the cloth on the table
e
: to prepare for a meal : set
spread a table
3
a
: to become or cause to become widely known
spread the news
the panic spread rapidly
b
: to extend the range or occurrence of
spread a disease
4
: to stretch or move apart
spread one's fingers
spreadable adjective

spread

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act or process of spreading
the spread of education
b
: the extent of spreading
the spread of a bird's wings
2
: a very noticeable display in a newspaper or magazine
a two-page spread
3
a
: a food to be spread on bread or crackers
a cheese spread
b
: a very fine meal : feast
c
: a cloth cover for a table or bed
4
: distance between two points

Legal Definition

spread

noun
1
a
: the difference between any two prices for similar articles
the spread between the list price and the market price of an article
b
: the difference between the highest and lowest prices of a product or security for a given period
c
: the difference between bid and asked prices (as of a stock)
2
a
: a simultaneous put option and call option in which the put price and the call price differ so that no profit is made unless the price falls below or rises above the put or call price respectively by more than enough to cover the cost of the option
also : the difference between the put price and call price
b
: a transaction in which a participant hedges with simultaneous long and short options in different commodities or different delivery dates in the same commodity
3
: an arbitrage transaction operated by buying and selling simultaneously in two markets when there is an abnormal difference in price between the two markets
also : the difference in price
4
: the difference between the yields on investments in fixed-income securities equal in quality but with different maturity dates or with the same maturity dates but unequal quality

More from Merriam-Webster on spread

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