spread

1 of 2

verb

ˈspred 

spread; spreading

transitive verb

1

a

: to open or expand over a larger area

spread out the map

b

: to stretch out : extend

spread its wings for flight

2

a

: to distribute over an area

spread fertilizer

b

: to distribute over a period or among a group

spread the work over a few weeks

c

: to apply on a surface

spread butter on bread

d(1)

: to cover or overlay something with

spread the cloth on the table

(2)

archaic : to cover completely

e(1)

: to prepare or furnish for dining : set

spread the table

(2)

: serve

spread the afternoon tea

3

a

: to make widely known

spread the news

b

: to extend the range or incidence of

spread a disease

c

: diffuse, emit

flowers spreading their fragrance

4

: to push apart by weight or force

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become dispersed, distributed, or scattered

b

: to become known or disseminated

panic spread rapidly

2

: to grow in length or breadth : expand

3

: to move apart (as from pressure or weight) : separate

spreadability

ˌspre-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

spreadable

ˈspre-də-bəl 

adjective

spread

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: the act or process of spreading

b

: extent of spreading

2

: something spread out: such as

a

: a surface area : expanse

b(1)

: a ranch or homestead especially in the western U.S.

(2)

Western US : a herd of animals

c(1)

: a prominent display in a periodical

(2)

: two facing pages (as of a newspaper) usually with matter running across the fold

also : the matter occupying these pages

3

: something spread on or over a surface: such as

a

: a food to be spread (as on bread or crackers)

a cheese spread

b

: a sumptuous meal : feast

c

: a cloth cover for a table or bed

4

: distance between two points : gap

5

: a commodities market transaction in which a participant hedges with simultaneous long and short options in different commodities or different delivery dates in the same commodity

Synonyms

Verb

• disseminate
• propagate

Noun

• quilt
• bedcovering
• coverlet
• bedspread
• counterpane

Examples of spread in a Sentence

Verb

The newspaper was spread across his lap.

Her notes were spread all over the desk.

Help me spread the cloth on the table.

We spread fertilizer on our yard.

The seeds are spread by wind, birds, and animals.

The fire spread quickly through the building.

The cancer has spread to her throat.

The use of computer technology has spread into all fields of work.

The odor spread throughout the room.

The fashion quickly spread from France to England.

Noun

She offered crackers and a cheese spread.

He uses low-fat spread on his toast.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Zoning, including single-family-exclusive zoning, first spread across the US in the early 20th century (before that, development was far more freewheeling and improvised). —Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 7 July 2025

Associated Press The Context The Daily Beast article quickly spread across social media, where Cruz faced criticism over the trip. —Andrew Stanton gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

Noun

Fire is more active in the green timber stringers where there is enough timber litter to support fire spread. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2025

Those who are not immune should consider staying home or avoid large gatherings and contact with others who might be susceptible to prevent the spread of measles, health officials said. —Kansas City Star, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprǣdan; akin to Old High German spreiten to spread

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spread

• cast/spread one's net wide
• community spread
• photo spread
• point spread
• spread eagle
• spread formation
• spread like wildfire
• spread one's wings
• spread out
• spread the wealth
• spread the word

Rhymes for spread

• bed
• bled
• bread
• bred
• dead
• dread
• ed
• fed
• fled
• ged
• head
• lead

Kids Definition

spread

1 of 2 verb

ˈspred 

spread; spreading

1

a

: to open over a larger area

spread out a map

b

: to stretch out : extend

spread her arms wide

2

a

: to scatter over an area

spread fertilizer

b

: to give out over a period or among a group

spread the work over several weeks

c

: to put a layer of on a surface

spread butter on bread

d

: to cover something with

spread the cloth on the table

e

: to prepare for a meal : set

spread a table

3

a

: to become or cause to become widely known

spread the news

the panic spread rapidly

b

: to extend the range or occurrence of

spread a disease

4

: to stretch or move apart

spread one's fingers

spreadable

ˈspred-ə-bəl 

adjective

spread

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the act or process of spreading

the spread of education

b

: the extent of spreading

the spread of a bird's wings

2

: a very noticeable display in a newspaper or magazine

a two-page spread

3

a

: a food to be spread on bread or crackers

a cheese spread

b

: a very fine meal : feast

c

: a cloth cover for a table or bed

4

: distance between two points

Legal Definition

spread

noun

1

a

: the difference between any two prices for similar articles

the spread between the list price and the market price of an article

b

: the difference between the highest and lowest prices of a product or security for a given period

c

: the difference between bid and asked prices (as of a stock)

2

a

: a simultaneous put option and call option in which the put price and the call price differ so that no profit is made unless the price falls below or rises above the put or call price respectively by more than enough to cover the cost of the option

also : the difference between the put price and call price

b

: a transaction in which a participant hedges with simultaneous long and short options in different commodities or different delivery dates in the same commodity

3

: an arbitrage transaction operated by buying and selling simultaneously in two markets when there is an abnormal difference in price between the two markets

also : the difference in price

4

: the difference between the yields on investments in fixed-income securities equal in quality but with different maturity dates or with the same maturity dates but unequal quality