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

On Saturday and Sunday, events are spread out at both Donnelly Park, where visitors can see a tartan parade and plenty of entertainment, and Elizabeth Evans Park, where the Highland athletics take place and the City of Mount Dora Pipe Band performs. —Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025

Since then, United has spread out its operations, setting up regional offices in cities like Houston and Denver. —Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025

If Carr is cut with a post-June 1 designation or traded after that date, the cap penalty would be spread out over multiple seasons. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2025

Another Booth cartoon that kills me shows a couple arriving at a yard sale where the merchandise is spread out all over the yard. —Roz Chast, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025