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
Five or six wrestling mats were spread out across a gym floor.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
With 62 miles of scenic coastline, there’s plenty of room to spread out in the sand.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
Said the high view of Paris spreading out was quite a trip, but Dad preferred the boat ride down below on the Seine.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Featuring more than 100 episodes spread out over seven seasons, this true crime series has covered famous cases like Jodi Arias, Scott Peterson, Amy Fisher, and the Green River Killer.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spread out
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Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
With 62 miles of scenic coastline, there’s plenty of room to spread out in the sand.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
Said the high view of Paris spreading out was quite a trip, but Dad preferred the boat ride down below on the Seine.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Featuring more than 100 episodes spread out over seven seasons, this true crime series has covered famous cases like Jodi Arias, Scott Peterson, Amy Fisher, and the Green River Killer.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 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 8 Jan. 2026.
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