spreadsheet

noun spread·sheet \ ˈspred-ˌshēt \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of spreadsheet

: a computer program that allows the entry, calculation, and storage of data in columns and rows; also : the ledger layout modeled by such a program

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Recent Examples of spreadsheet from the Web

Many of these employers are looking for people with presentation skills or the ability to navigate a spreadsheet.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Opportunity Knocks," 8 May 2018
Beside her, on the wall behind my chair, was a projector screen, on which shone a spreadsheet of all the charges on my accounts related to Morocco.

— rachel deloache williams, The Hive, "“As an Added Bonus, She Paid for Everything”: My Bright-Lights Misadventure with a Magician of Manhattan," 13 Apr. 2018
In short order, Klontz determined the client needed a physical presentation, rather than a pile of spreadsheets, to understand the predicament.

— tom roland, Billboard, "Flood, Bumstead And the Country Artist's Conflict: Seeking Wealth While Singing About Poverty," 3 Apr. 2018
The first mention of the documents was in a Feb. 21 Yahoo Sports article in which reporters explain the extent of the spreadsheets and bank information being used as evidence in the FBI's case.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Sports agent's lawyer calls leak of FBI evidence to Yahoo Sports 'outwardly brazen'," 27 Feb. 2018
In the context of the FBI's spreadsheet that revealed some players taking as much as $70,000, Cynthia Bridges accepting $400 is paltry.

— shawn windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State basketball looks bad, NCAA looks worse with latest report," 24 Feb. 2018
There's even a copy of an agent's spreadsheet to prove it.

— joseph goodman, AL.com, "NCAA apparently is going to play stupid until the end," 23 Feb. 2018
On Friday, Yahoo! writers Pat Forde and Pete Thamel published the contents of spreadsheets the FBI took from the office of former NBA agent Andy Miller.

— andy staples, SI.com, "The NCAA Must Change the Rules in Order to Solve College Basketball’s Existential Crisis," 23 Feb. 2018
To avoid this, Yip would create a spreadsheet for every room outlining his purchases.

— lauren smith, House Beautiful, "Designer Vern Yip Spills All His "Trading Spaces" Secrets," 17 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spreadsheet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of spreadsheet

1981

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SPREADSHEET Defined for English Language Learners

spreadsheet

noun

Definition of spreadsheet for English Language Learners

: a computer program that calculates numbers and organizes information in columns and rows
: a document that has columns and rows which are used to calculate numbers and organize information