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

Its Presidential Suite—one of 21 suites at the inn—will spread out over 2,000 square feet for a single bed: an Alaskan king. —Beth Landman, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024

Make sure to account for travel time and traffic, as there is typically a lot of congestion and the city is spread out. —Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024

With the first option, the jackpot amount is spread out over 30 years as an annual payment. —Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

Guests spread out across the venue’s two floors and outdoor terrace. —Kristen Tauer, WWD, 3 Dec. 2024