spreadspread1 /sprɛd/ ●●● verb (past tense and past participle spread) 
1
OPEN/ARRANGE [transitive] also spread out to open something so that it covers a big area, or to arrange a number of things so that they cover a flat surface: 
Tracy had a map spread out over the floor. The population is evenly spread across the state. He sat with books and papers spread over the table.2AFFECT MORE PEOPLE/PLACES/THINGS [intransitive, transitive] to move and affect more people, places, or a larger area, or to make something do this: Rain will spread throughout the area by tonight. Cancer has spread to her lungs. Only a small number of insects spread disease.3INFORMATION/IDEAS [intransitive, transitive] to tell a lot of people about something or to become known by a lot of people: His neighbors began spreading rumors that he was a spy. News of her arrest quickly spread.4SOFT SUBSTANCE [transitive] to put a soft substance onto a surface in order to cover it: Spread some honey on the bread.5PUSH APART [intransitive, transitive] also spread apart to push your arms, legs, or fingers wide apart6DO something GRADUALLY [transitive] also spread out to do something gradually over time: You can spread the payments over a year.7spread yourself too thin to try to do too many things at the same time so that you do not do any of them effectively8WINGS [transitive] also spread open if a bird or insect spreads its wings, it stretches them widespread out phrasal verb if a group of people spread out, they move apart from each other in order to cover a wide area: If we spread out, it should be easier to find her.
1OPEN/ARRANGE [transitive] also spread out to open something so that it covers a big area, or to arrange a number of things so that they cover a flat surface: Tracy had a map spread out over the floor. The population is evenly spread across the state. He sat with books and papers spread over the table.2AFFECT MORE PEOPLE/PLACES/THINGS [intransitive, transitive] to move and affect more people, places, or a larger area, or to make something do this: Rain will spread throughout the area by tonight. Cancer has spread to her lungs. Only a small number of insects spread disease.3INFORMATION/IDEAS [intransitive, transitive] to tell a lot of people about something or to become known by a lot of people: His neighbors began spreading rumors that he was a spy. News of her arrest quickly spread.4SOFT SUBSTANCE [transitive] to put a soft substance onto a surface in order to cover it: Spread some honey on the bread.5PUSH APART [intransitive, transitive] also spread apart to push your arms, legs, or fingers wide apart6DO something GRADUALLY [transitive] also spread out to do something gradually over time: You can spread the payments over a year.7spread yourself too thin to try to do too many things at the same time so that you do not do any of them effectively8WINGS [transitive] also spread open if a bird or insect spreads its wings, it stretches them widespread out phrasal verb if a group of people spread out, they move apart from each other in order to cover a wide area: If we spread out, it should be easier to find her.
