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
Shaun White took three halfpipe golds, but they were spread out over five games.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Today, the massive property is spread out across five acres of land and overlooks five acres of agricultural reserve.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
From online shopping carts to in-store checkout screens, buying something now and paying over time promises a quick way to spread out your payments without the sting of traditional interest.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
To boost airflow and prevent diseases like bacterial leaf spots, make sure outdoor plants have plenty of room to spread out and space multiple plants at least 3 feet apart.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread out
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Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Today, the massive property is spread out across five acres of land and overlooks five acres of agricultural reserve.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
From online shopping carts to in-store checkout screens, buying something now and paying over time promises a quick way to spread out your payments without the sting of traditional interest.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
To boost airflow and prevent diseases like bacterial leaf spots, make sure outdoor plants have plenty of room to spread out and space multiple plants at least 3 feet apart.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
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 9 Jan. 2026.
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