spreader

noun

spread·​er ˈspre-dər 

: one that spreads: such as

a

: an implement for scattering material

b

: a small knife used especially for spreading butter

c

: a device (such as a bar) holding two linear elements (such as lines, guys, rails) apart and usually taut

Examples of spreader in a Sentence

Mosquito are spreaders of disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

Salt spreaders were out across Chicago early Monday morning, first targeting major streets, DuSable Lake Shore Drive, bridges, and overpasses before getting to neighborhood streets. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026

The city’s Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed its fleet of 250 snow plows and salt spreaders over the weekend, and announced plans to shift from clearing main roads Sunday evening to residential streets overnight and through the day Monday. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026

The state has 121 salt houses around the Arkansas, plus 600 salt spreaders and 700 snowplows, said Dave Parker, an agency spokesperson. —Jeff Martin, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026

Salt spreaders were active across the city, with plows ready to go if needed, according to the Department of Sanitation. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spreader

• silent spreader
• super-spreader

Rhymes for spreader

• cheddar
• header
• pedder
• redder
• shredder

Kids Definition

spreader

noun

spread·​er ˈspred-ər 

: one that spreads: as

a

: an implement for scattering material

b

: a small knife used especially for spreading butter