spread spread /ˈsprɛd/

adjective

1. () Distributed or spread over a considerable extent  ( dispersed , spread )
   distributed or spread over a considerable extent
    Has ties with many widely dispersed friends
   has ties with many widely dispersed friends
    Eleven million Jews are spread throughout Europe
   eleven million Jews are spread throughout Europe
   
2. () Fully extended in width  ( outspread , spread )
   fully extended in width
    Outspread wings
   outspread wings
    With arms spread wide
   with arms spread wide
   
3. () Prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out  ( spread )
   prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out
    A table spread with food
   a table spread with food
   

noun

1. () A conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures  ( gap , spread )
   a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
    Gap between income and outgo
   gap between income and outgo
    The spread between lending and borrowing costs
   the spread between lending and borrowing costs
   
2. () Process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space  ( spreading , spread )
   process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
     The wildfire rapidly spread through the forest, fueled by strong winds.
   The wildfire rapidly spread through the forest, fueled by strong winds.
   
3. () Farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)  ( cattle farm , cattle ranch , spread , ranch )
   farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
     The cowboy managed a large cattle ranch in the countryside.
   The cowboy managed a large cattle ranch in the countryside.
   
   
4. () A haphazard distribution in all directions  ( scatter , spread )
   a haphazard distribution in all directions
   
5. Act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time  ( spread , spreading )
   act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
   
6. Decorative cover for a bed  ( bed cover , bed covering , bedcover , bedspread , counterpane , spread )
   decorative cover for a bed
    The bedspread in my bedroom is blue and matches the curtains perfectly
   The bedspread in my bedroom is blue and matches the curtains perfectly
   
   
7. The expansion of a person's girth (especially at middle age)  ( spread )
   the expansion of a person's girth (especially at middle age)
    She exercised to avoid that middle-aged spread
   she exercised to avoid that middle-aged spread
   
8. Two facing pages of a book or other publication  ( facing pages , spread , spread head , spreadhead )
   two facing pages of a book or other publication
   
9. A meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed  ( banquet , feast , spread )
   a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed
    A banquet for the graduating seniors
   a banquet for the graduating seniors
    The Thanksgiving feast
   the Thanksgiving feast
    They put out quite a spread
   they put out quite a spread
   
   
10. A tasty mixture to be spread on bread, crackers or used in preparing other dishes  ( paste , spread )
    a tasty mixture to be spread on bread, crackers or used in preparing other dishes
    
    

verb

1. () Distribute or disperse widely  ( distribute , spread )
   distribute or disperse widely
    The invaders spread their language all over the country
   The invaders spread their language all over the country
   
2. () Become distributed or widespread  ( propagate , spread )
   become distributed or widespread
    The infection spread
   the infection spread
    Optimism spread among the population
   Optimism spread among the population
   
3. () Cause to become widely known  ( broadcast , circularise [British] , circularize , circulate , diffuse , disperse , distribute , pass around , propagate , disseminate , spread )
   cause to become widely known
    Spread information
   spread information
    Circulate a rumor
   circulate a rumor
    Broadcast the news
   broadcast the news
   
4. () Spread out or open from a closed or folded state  ( spread out , unfold , open , spread )
   spread out or open from a closed or folded state
    Open the map
   open the map
    Spread your arms
   spread your arms
   
5. () Spread across or over  ( overspread , spread )
   spread across or over
    A big oil spot spread across the water
   A big oil spot spread across the water
   
6. () Become widely known and passed on  ( go around , circulate , spread )
   become widely known and passed on
    The rumor spread
   the rumor spread
    The story went around in the office
   the story went around in the office
   
7. () Move outward  ( diffuse , spread , fan out , spread out )
   move outward
    The soldiers fanned out
   The soldiers fanned out
   
8. () Strew or distribute over an area  ( scatter , spread out , spread )
   strew or distribute over an area
    He spread fertilizer over the lawn
   He spread fertilizer over the lawn
    Scatter cards across the table
   scatter cards across the table
   
9. Distribute over a surface in a layer  ( spread )
   distribute over a surface in a layer
    Spread cheese on a piece of bread
   spread cheese on a piece of bread
   
10. Cover by spreading something over  ( spread )
    cover by spreading something over
     Spread the bread with cheese
    spread the bread with cheese