spread out

phrasal verb

spread out; spreading out; spreads out

: 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.

: to be open, arranged, or extended over a large area

The city is spread out over a wide area.

: 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.

: 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.

: 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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

But Tanner said they are spread out all over the country. —

CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024 Transfer the apples to the prepared pan and spread out in an even layer. —

Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024 Flashback: The traditional holiday shopping season morphed during COVID, when more deals moved online and spread out consumer demand over longer periods of time. —

Kelly Tyko, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024 The Alluvium Vineyard is an alluvial fan, spreading out from an old sedimentary riverbed in the shape of a broad triangle. —

Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spread out