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
If you’re spread out geographically, suggest virtual meetups that aren’t about work: a Friday morning coffee Zoom, themed virtual lunches, or even a team trivia hour.
—
Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
For starters, players now have more comfortable seating arrangements on flights, able to spread out on an aircraft that includes only a handful of additional clubhouse support staff.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
The cases are spread out across 15 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 May 2025
There’s plenty of space to spread out, from the large double reception room to the study, dining room, and library that doubles as a dressing room, while floor-to-ceiling vertical windows pour in natural light, bouncing off San Stefano marble floors and rich Muhuhu hardwood.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spread out
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Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
For starters, players now have more comfortable seating arrangements on flights, able to spread out on an aircraft that includes only a handful of additional clubhouse support staff.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
The cases are spread out across 15 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 May 2025
There’s plenty of space to spread out, from the large double reception room to the study, dining room, and library that doubles as a dressing room, while floor-to-ceiling vertical windows pour in natural light, bouncing off San Stefano marble floors and rich Muhuhu hardwood.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 May 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 7 Jun. 2025.
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