Definition of spread
spread
;spreading
transitive verb
1a : to open or expand over a larger area spread out the mapb : to stretch out : extend spread its wings for flight
2a : to distribute over an area spread fertilizerb : to distribute over a period or among a group spread the work over a few weeksc : to apply on a surface spread butter on breadd (1) : to cover or overlay something with spread the cloth on the table (2) archaic : to cover completelye (1) : to prepare or furnish for dining : set spread the table (2) : serve spread the afternoon tea
3a : to make widely known spread the newsb : to extend the range or incidence of spread a diseasec : diffuse, emit flowers spreading their fragrance
4 : to push apart by weight or force
intransitive verb
1a : to become dispersed, distributed, or scatteredb : 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
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Examples of spread in a Sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of spread
Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprǣdan; akin to Old High German spreiten to spread
First Known Use: 13th century
spread
Definition of spread
1a : the act or process of spreadingb : extent of spreading
2 : something spread out: such asa : a surface area : expanseb (1) : a ranch or homestead especially in the western U.S. (2) Western US : a herd of animalsc (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 asa : a food to be spread (as on bread or crackers) a cheese spreadb : a sumptuous meal : feastc : 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
Examples of spread in a Sentence
She offered crackers and a cheese spread.
He uses low-fat spread on his toast.
1565
First Known Use of spread
1565
SPREAD Defined for English Language Learners
spread
playDefinition of spread for English Language Learners
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: to open, arrange, or place (something) over a large area
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: to place (things) over a large area
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: to become larger or to affect a larger area : to move into more places
spread
Definition of spread for English Language Learners
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: growth or increase that causes something to cover a larger area, affect a larger number of people, etc.
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: a soft food that is spread on bread, crackers, etc.
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: the total distance between the two outer edges of something
SPREAD Defined for Kids
Definition of spread for Students
spread
;spreading
1 : to stretch out : extend I spread my arms wide.
2 : to pass or cause to pass from person to person The news spread rapidly. Flies can spread disease.
3 : to open or arrange over a larger area The captain spread out a map.
4 : to increase in size or occurrence The fire keeps spreading. Cell phone use spread quickly.
5 : to scatter or be scattered spread fertilizer
6 : to give out over a period of time or among a group The boss spread work to make it last.
7 : to put or have a layer of on a surface He spread butter on bread.
8 : to cover something with Mom spread a cloth on the table.
Definition of spread for Students
1 : the act or process of increasing in size, amount, or occurrence the spread of education
2 : the distance between two points that are farthest to each side the spread of a bird's wings
3 : a noticeable display in a magazine or newspaper
4 : a food to be put over the surface of bread or crackers cheese spread
5 : a very fine meal : feast
6 : a cloth cover for a table or bed
Law Dictionary
spread
Legal Definition of spread
1a : 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)
2a : 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
Learn More about spread
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See words that rhyme with spread Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spread Spanish Central: Translation of spread Nglish: Translation of spread for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of spread for Arabic speakers
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