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
The show, which runs until the end of June, is spread out over two floors and features 24 portraits of the star by 10 artists.
—
Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
Even the smallest guest room, at 516 square feet, provides guests with ample space to spread out, with double vanities and a deep soaking tub in the bathroom.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
About 40 people representing the breadth of L.A. — white, Latino, Asian, Black and all age groups — spread out across the pews after Mass ended to listen to guest organist Emma Yim.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Some of these recommendations included more marketing and promotion, a larger variety of live entertainment, more spread out art installations and better signage, among other things, Ragona’s presentation showed.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spread out
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Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
Even the smallest guest room, at 516 square feet, provides guests with ample space to spread out, with double vanities and a deep soaking tub in the bathroom.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
About 40 people representing the breadth of L.A. — white, Latino, Asian, Black and all age groups — spread out across the pews after Mass ended to listen to guest organist Emma Yim.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Some of these recommendations included more marketing and promotion, a larger variety of live entertainment, more spread out art installations and better signage, among other things, Ragona’s presentation showed.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 6 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 11 Jun. 2025.
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