spill

verb

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\ ˈspil

spilled\ ˈspild

, ˈspilt

\ also spilt\ ˈspilt

\; spilling

Definition of spill

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted

2a : to cause (blood) to be lost by wounding

b archaic : kill, destroy

3 : to let out : divulge spill a secret

4a : 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

intransitive verb

1a : 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)

spill one's guts

: to divulge especially personal information

spill the beans

: to divulge secret or hidden information

spill

noun (1)

Definition of spill (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : the act or an instance of spilling especially : a fall from a horse or vehicle or an erect position

2 : something spilled

spill

noun (2)

Definition of spill (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a wooden splinter

2 : a small roll or twist of paper or slip of wood for lighting a fire

Other Words from spill Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about spill

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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?

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Cite this Entry

“Spill.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spilling. Accessed 21 November 2019.

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More Definitions for spill

spill

verb

English Language Learners Definition of spill

: to cause or allow (something) to fall, flow, or run over the edge of a container usually in an accidental way

: to fall or flow over the edge of a container

: to move or spread out into a wider place or area

See the full definition for spill in the English Language Learners Dictionary

spill

verb

\ ˈspil

spilled\ ˈspild \ also spilt\ ˈspilt \; spilling

Kids Definition of spill

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to cause or allow to fall, flow, or run out so as to be wasted or scattered I knocked the glass over and spilled my milk.

2 : to flow or run out, over, or off and become wasted or scattered The milk spilled. So I always go as far as the ford, where the river spills across the path …— Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh

3 : to cause (blood) to flow by wounding

4 : to make known I accidentally spilled the secret.

spill

noun

Kids Definition of spill (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act of spilling

2 : a fall especially from a horse or vehicle

3 : something spilled Please mop up the spill on the floor.

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