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

But even the events within the city of Los Angeles are spread out, with the specter of clogged downtown streets. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

There were heaping bowls of something called Krazy Krunch (think nutty caramel corn, with a hefty glug of corn syrup) and homemade hard candies, spread out like a feast in front of a Christmas tree so intricately decorated it was left up year round. —Megan Thielking, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024

The hotel's 156 rooms and villas are spread out across multiple buildings, connected by pathways that wind past spectacularly green gardens, fountains and fire pits. —Catherine Garcia, theweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Pour the ganache over the top layer of graham crackers and gently spread out into an even layer. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 2024