to draw, stretch, or open out, esp. over a flat surface, as something rolled or folded (often fol. by out ).

to stretch out or unfurl in the air, as folded wings, a flag, etc. (often fol. by out ).

to distribute over a greater or a relatively great area of space or time (often fol. by out )

to spread out the papers on the table.

to display or exhibit the full extent of; set out in full

He spread the pots on the ground and started hawking his wares.

to dispose or distribute in a sheet or layer

to spread hay to dry.

to apply in a thin layer or coating

to spread butter on a slice of bread.

to overlay or cover with something

She spread the blanket over her knees.

to set or prepare (a table), as for a meal.

to extend or distribute over a region, place, period of time, among a group, etc.

to send out, scatter, or shed in various directions, as sound, light, etc.

to scatter abroad; diffuse or disseminate, as knowledge, news, disease, etc.

to spread the word of the gospel.

to move or force apart

He spread his arms over his head in surrender.

to flatten out

to spread the end of a rivet by hammering.

Phonetics .

to extend the aperture between (the lips) laterally, so as to reduce it vertically, during an utterance.

to delabialize. Compare round ( def. 57c ) , unround.

to become stretched out or extended, as a flag in the wind; expand, as in growth.

to extend over a greater or a considerable area or period

The factory spread along the river front.

to be or lie outspread or fully extended or displayed, as a landscape or scene.

to admit of being spread or applied in a thin layer, as a soft substance

Margarine spreads easily.

to become extended or distributed over a region, as population, animals, plants, etc.

to become shed abroad, diffused, or disseminated, as light, influences, rumors, ideas, infection, etc.

to be forced apart, as the rails of a railroad track; separate.

an act or instance of spreading

With a spread of her arms the actress acknowledged the applause.

expansion, extension, or diffusion

the spread of consumerism.

the extent of spreading

to measure the spread of branches.

Finance .

the difference between the prices bid and asked of stock or a commodity for a given time.

a type of straddle in which the call price is placed above and the put price is placed below the current market quotation.

the difference between any two prices or rates for related costs

the widening spread between lending and borrowing costs.

Stock Exchange . a broker's profit or the difference between his or her buying and selling price.

any difference between return on assets and costs of liabilities.

capacity for spreading

the spread of an elastic material.

a distance or range, as between two points or dates

The long-distance movers planned a five-day spread between pickup and delivery.

a stretch, expanse, or extent of something

a spread of timber.

a cloth covering for a bed, table, or the like, esp. a bedspread.

Informal . an abundance of food set out on a table; feast.

any food preparation for spreading on bread, crackers, etc., as jam or peanut butter.

Aeronautics . wingspan.

Also called layout. Journalism . (in newspapers and magazines) an extensive, varied treatment of a subject, consisting primarily either of a number of cuts (picture spread) or of a major story and several supplementary stories, usually extending across three or more columns. Compare double truck .

an advertisement, photograph, article, or the like, covering several columns, a full page, or two facing pages of a newspaper, magazine, book, etc.

a full-page spread; a two-page spread.

two facing pages, as of a newspaper, magazine, or book.

landed property, as a farm or ranch.

lay 1 ( def. 40 ) .

point spread.

Jewelry . (of a gem) cut with the table too large and the crown too shallow for maximum brilliance; swindled.

Phonetics . (of the opening between the lips) extended laterally. Compare rounded ( def. 2 ) , unrounded. ?

spread oneself thin, to carry on so many projects simultaneously that none is done adequately

or that one's health suffers

Many college students spread themselves thin by taking on too many activities during the semester.

noun

stagnation , suppression

verb

close , collect , compress , gather , conceal , hide

noun

advance , advancement , compass , diffusion , dispersion , dissemination , enlargement , escalation , expanse , extension , increase , period , profusion , proliferation , radiation , ramification , range , reach , scope , span , spreading , stretch , suffusion , sweep , term , transfusion , transmission , array , banquet , blowout , dinner , feast , lunch , regale , repast , distance , expansion , extent , space , junket , (colloq.) feast , circulation , cover , decentralization , diaspora , divarication , diversification , diversity , gamut , irradiation , metastasis , patulousness , promulgation , propagation , spectrum

verb

arrange , array , be displayed , be distributed , bloat , branch off , broaden , cast , circulate , coat , cover , daub , develop , diffuse , dilate , disperse , diverge , enlarge , escalate , even out , expand , extend , flatten , flow , gloss , increase , lay , lengthen , level , lie , multiply , mushroom , open , outstretch , overlay , paint , pervade , prepare , proliferate , radiate , reach , roll out , set , settle , smear , sprawl , spray , stretch , strew , suffuse , swell , uncoil , unfold , unfurl , unroll , untwist , unwind , widen , advertise , blazon , broadcast , declare , disseminate , distribute , make known , make public , proclaim , promulgate , propagate , publish , scatter , shed , sow , transmit , fan , blanket , cap , carry , convey , give , pass , blaze , bruit , noise , get around , go around , travel , branch , compass , decentralize , divaricate , diversify , divulge , emit , expatiate , flare , imbue , infiltrate , infuse , irradiate , mantle , overspread , penetrate , permeate , plaster , prolong , seep