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¹spread

verb \ˈspred\

: to open, arrange, or place (something) over a large area

: to place (things) over a large area

: to become larger or to affect a larger area : to move into more places

spreadspread·ing

Full Definition of SPREAD

transitive verb

a : to open or expand over a larger area <spread out the map>

b : to stretch out : extend <spread its wings for flight>

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>

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>

: to push apart by weight or force

intransitive verb

a : to become dispersed, distributed, or scattered

b : to become known or disseminated <panic spread rapidly>

: to grow in length or breadth : expand

: to move apart (as from pressure or weight) : separate

— spread·abil·i·ty \ˌspre-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— spread·able \ˈspre-də-bəl\ adjective

See spread defined for English-language learners

See spread defined for kids

Origin of SPREAD

Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprǣdan; akin to Old High German spreiten to spread

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SPREAD

Synonyms: broadcast, circulate, disseminate, propagate

Antonyms: converge, join

Rhymes with SPREAD

bed, bread, dead, dread, ed, fed, head, lead, med, ped, read, red, Red, redd, said, shed, shred, sled, stead, ted, thread, tread, wed, zed

²spread

noun

: growth or increase that causes something to cover a larger area, affect a larger number of people, etc.

: a soft food that is spread on bread, crackers, etc.

: the total distance between the two outer edges of something

Full Definition of SPREAD

a : the act or process of spreading

b : extent of spreading

: something spread out: as

a : a surface area : expanse

b (1) : a ranch or homestead especially in the western United States (2) West : 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

: something spread on or over a surface: 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

: distance between two points : gap

: 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

See spread defined for English-language learners