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
Downstairs, the finished walk-out lower level offers room to spread out, whether that means a play area, home gym, or guest space.
—
Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Because athletes are spread out among far-away locations between here and the mountains, organizers have come up with a solution.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
On the slopes, there's room to spread out, carve wide turns, and ski at your own place.
—Alex Schechter, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Like a fan, this machine oscillates, allowing the heat to spread out evenly.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread out
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Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Because athletes are spread out among far-away locations between here and the mountains, organizers have come up with a solution.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
On the slopes, there's room to spread out, carve wide turns, and ski at your own place.
—Alex Schechter, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Like a fan, this machine oscillates, allowing the heat to spread out evenly.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 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 13 Feb. 2026.
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