spread out

phrasal 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

In May, Jenn Harris, Betty Hallock and I spread out across the city, often facing multiple dinners nightly to compile a fresh, thorough guide to dining in Vegas. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024

Twenty-five-year-old Queenie Jenkins is staring at the ceiling, her braids spread out on a white pillow, a tangle of necklaces grazing her clavicle, and an expression of idle bemusement twisting her features. —Judy Berman, TIME, 7 June 2024

When these hatches are widespread, the bass spread out as well. —Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 6 June 2024

The five theaters that have closed are spread out across the Metroplex, with one in Richardson, one in Denton, one in Irving and two in Dallas. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2024