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⇱ SPREAD Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
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spread; spreading

transitive verb

1
a
: to open or expand over a larger area
spread out the map
b
: to stretch out : extend
spread its wings for flight
2
a
: to distribute over an area
spread fertilizer
b
: to distribute over a period or among a group
spread the work over a few weeks
c
: to apply on a surface
spread butter on bread
d(1)
: to cover or overlay something with
spread the cloth on the table
(2)
archaic : to cover completely
e(1)
: to prepare or furnish for dining : set
spread the table
(2)
: serve
spread the afternoon tea
3
a
: to make widely known
spread the news
b
: to extend the range or incidence of
spread a disease
c
: diffuse, emit
flowers spreading their fragrance
4
: to push apart by weight or force

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become dispersed, distributed, or scattered
b
: 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

spread

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the act or process of spreading
b
: extent of spreading
2
: something spread out: such as
a
: a surface area : expanse
b(1)
: a ranch or homestead especially in the western U.S.
(2)
Western US : a herd of animals
c(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 as
a
: a food to be spread (as on bread or crackers)
a cheese spread
b
: a sumptuous meal : feast
c
: 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

Synonyms of spread

Examples of spread in a Sentence

Verb 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. Noun She offered crackers and a cheese spread. He uses low-fat spread on his toast.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The people arrested in Colorado came from more than 80 countries spread across five continents. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026 Rotating Bernard and Coker inside and outside, opposite McMillan, could create some mismatches in coverage and allow quarterback Bryce Young to spread the ball around even further. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Mike Kaye april 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
Olive oils, cheese, olives, sauces, spreads, Italian wine, beer, soda and a humidor with cigars. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026 Vaccination is crucial to preventing the spread of measles, but the WHO says 95% of the population has to be vaccinated in order to stop the disease from spreading. β€”πŸ‘ Image
ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spread

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprΗ£dan; akin to Old High German spreiten to spread

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of spread was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing spread

Rhymes for spread

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œSpread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spread. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

spread; spreading
1
a
: to open over a larger area
spread out a map
b
: to stretch out : extend
spread her arms wide
2
a
: to scatter over an area
spread fertilizer
b
: to give out over a period or among a group
spread the work over several weeks
c
: to put a layer of on a surface
spread butter on bread
d
: to cover something with
spread the cloth on the table
e
: to prepare for a meal : set
spread a table
3
a
: to become or cause to become widely known
spread the news
the panic spread rapidly
b
: to extend the range or occurrence of
spread a disease
4
: to stretch or move apart
spread one's fingers

spread

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act or process of spreading
the spread of education
b
: the extent of spreading
the spread of a bird's wings
2
: a very noticeable display in a newspaper or magazine
a two-page spread
3
a
: a food to be spread on bread or crackers
a cheese spread
b
: a very fine meal : feast
c
: a cloth cover for a table or bed
4
: distance between two points

Legal Definition

spread

noun
1
a
: 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)
2
a
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on spread

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