spread out
Definition of spread 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.
From the M-W Editors
Word by Word Definitions
: to open or expand over a larger area
: to stretch out : extend
: to distribute over an area
: the act or process of spreading
: extent of spreading
: something spread out: such as
: in a direction away from the inside or center
: outside
: from among others
: eject, oust
: to identify publicly as being such secretly
: to identify as being a closet homosexual
: used as a function word to indicate an outward movement
: situated outside : external
: out-of-bounds
: situated at a distance : outlying
: outside
: one who is out of office or power or on the outside
: an act or instance of putting a player out or of being put out in baseball
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