spread meaning and definition

SPREAD noun

Definition of spread (noun)

1. process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
   • synonyms: spreading
2. a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
   • "gap between income and outgo"; "the spread between lending and borrowing costs"
   • synonyms: gap
3. farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
   • synonyms: cattle farm, cattle ranch, ranch
4. a haphazard distribution in all directions
   • synonyms: scatter
5. a tasty mixture to be spread on bread or crackers or used in preparing other dishes
   • synonyms: paste
6. a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed
   • "a banquet for the graduating seniors"; "the Thanksgiving feast"; "they put out quite a spread"
   • synonyms: banquet, feast
7. two facing pages of a book or other publication
   • synonyms: facing pages, spread head, spreadhead
8. the expansion of a person's girth (especially at middle age)
   • "she exercised to avoid that middle-aged spread"
9. decorative cover for a bed
   • synonyms: bed cover, bed covering, bedcover, bedspread, counterpane
10. act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
    • synonyms: spreading

SPREAD verb

Definition of spread (verb)

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

SPREAD adjective

Definition of spread (adjective)

1. distributed or spread over a considerable extent
   • "has ties with many widely dispersed friends"; "eleven million Jews are spread throughout Europe"
   • synonyms: dispersed
2. prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out
   • "a table spread with food"
3. fully extended in width
   • "outspread wings"; "with arms spread wide"
   • synonyms: outspread