spread-ea·gle
ˈspred-ˌē-gəl 
spread-eagled; spread-eagling
ˈspred-ˌē-g(ə-)liŋ
1
a
: to execute a move (as in skiing) in which the arms and legs are stretched out
b
: to execute a move (as in skating) in which the heels are facing each other in a straight line
2
: to stand or move with arms and legs stretched out : sprawl
1
: to put into a position in which the arms and legs are spread out
2
: to spread over
variants
also spread eagle
1
: positioned with arms and legs stretched out
2
dated
: marked by bombast and boastful exaggeration especially of the greatness of the U.S.
spread-eagle oratory
1
: a representation of an eagle with wings raised and legs extended
2
: something resembling or suggestive of a spread eagle
specifically
: a move in skating executed with the skates heel to heel in a straight line
Examples of spread-eagle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Messing’s nonjumping elements included some entertaining step sequences, including one with a spread eagle leading to a hydroblading move in which nearly his whole body is horizontal on the ice, his face seemingly touching the ice.
—Beth Bragg, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Feb. 2022
There was the little boy who flung himself on the carpet, spread eagle-style; the student from Japan who became physically sick when his parents left; and several students who sobbed for hours.
—Dani Blum, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020
Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo sneaked in behind the hosts' defence and slid his attempt past the spread eagle keeper to level things up, not only in the tie but also in the title chase, however, Los Blancos held the upper hand in the head-to-head.
—SI.com, 3 Feb. 2018
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Noun
One of the angles, captured by a police body cam and later released to CNN, shows the woman’s daughter pressed spread eagle against the hood of an SUV with a baby’s bottle in her hand.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Messing’s nonjumping elements included some entertaining step sequences, including one with a spread eagle leading to a hydroblading move in which nearly his whole body is horizontal on the ice, his face seemingly touching the ice.
—Beth Bragg, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Feb. 2022
There was the little boy who flung himself on the carpet, spread eagle-style; the student from Japan who became physically sick when his parents left; and several students who sobbed for hours.
—Dani Blum, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020
Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo sneaked in behind the hosts' defence and slid his attempt past the spread eagle keeper to level things up, not only in the tie but also in the title chase, however, Los Blancos held the upper hand in the head-to-head.
—SI.com, 3 Feb. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Spread-eagle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spread-eagle. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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