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
Dubbed the Hume Cloister, the Gothic Revival home spreads out over two-thirds of an acre in Alameda County.
—
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 20 June 2025
The budget calls for a new literacy curriculum for all students at a cost of $3.2 million spread out over three years, replacing curriculum that had been implemented in 2024.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Without being oriented by them, the athletes would be spread out more haphazardly across the span of the lake.
—Calum Marsh, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025
Travelers stay in the town of Ålesund, which is spread out across seven small islands.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spread out
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Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 20 June 2025
The budget calls for a new literacy curriculum for all students at a cost of $3.2 million spread out over three years, replacing curriculum that had been implemented in 2024.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Without being oriented by them, the athletes would be spread out more haphazardly across the span of the lake.
—Calum Marsh, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025
Travelers stay in the town of Ålesund, which is spread out across seven small islands.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
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 1 Jul. 2025.
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