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
My podiatrist suggested looking for wide toe box shoes, which would give my feet enough space to spread out, and prevent further foot problems down the road.
—
Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
And since the hotel is spread out vertically with many rooms perched on a hill, there are always multiple members of the valet team standing by to take you anywhere on property via golf cart.
—Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Which means if there’s more than two inches of snow on the ground, a merry band of Aurora volunteers spread out across neighborhoods to help seniors clear their sidewalks, stoops and driveways.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The temporary adjustment will be spread out through the end of the year in an effort to reduce the monthly impact on customers.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread out
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
And since the hotel is spread out vertically with many rooms perched on a hill, there are always multiple members of the valet team standing by to take you anywhere on property via golf cart.
—Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Which means if there’s more than two inches of snow on the ground, a merry band of Aurora volunteers spread out across neighborhoods to help seniors clear their sidewalks, stoops and driveways.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The temporary adjustment will be spread out through the end of the year in an effort to reduce the monthly impact on customers.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 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 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
