spread out

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

Speaking of God, the pedal steel is capable of exaltation, too, the rise and fall of its strings able to emulate a glorious choir or a keening request or spread out like the cosmos itself. — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

The eight standalone cabins sleep up to six guests, depending on the layout, and offer even more space to spread out. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 July 2026

The Horans’ youngest child, John, died at the orphanage at age 8, while the older children later spread out across the country. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026

Host a Backyard Movie Night Hang a sheet, borrow a projector, spread out blankets, and make popcorn for an outdoor movie under the stars. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 July 2026

Rhymes for spread out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout