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 rooms with bunk beds and lodges are especially nice for spreading out a bit, and are a quick walk from the main building hosting the restaurant and a beautiful library/lounge on the upper floor (yet another great Northern Lights spot).
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
Instead, many unmanned systems would be spread out in secure spots and could be activated quickly when needed.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 June 2026
Bank stocks — The 15-year old Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB) hit a new all-time high as the bull market spread out to include former laggards.
—Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Getting to the water in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is as easy as stepping off your patio or finding one of the seven public beach access points that are spread out over just a mile.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread out
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
Instead, many unmanned systems would be spread out in secure spots and could be activated quickly when needed.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 June 2026
Bank stocks — The 15-year old Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB) hit a new all-time high as the bull market spread out to include former laggards.
—Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Getting to the water in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is as easy as stepping off your patio or finding one of the seven public beach access points that are spread out over just a mile.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 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 24 Jun. 2026.
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