transitive verb spread, spreading spread′·ing

1. to draw out so as to display more fully; open or stretch out so as to cover more space; unfold or unfurl
2. to lay out in display; exhibit
3. to move apart (the fingers, arms, legs, wings, etc.)
4. 1. to distribute over a surface or area; scatter; disperse
   2. to distribute among a group to spread the wealth
5. 1. to distribute in a thin layer; smear to spread butter on toast
   2. to cover by smearing (with something) to spread bread with jelly
6. to extend or prolong in time to spread payments over a two-year period
7. to cause to be widely or more widely known, felt, existent, etc.; disseminate; propagate; diffuse to spread news, a disease, etc.
8. to cover, overlay, or deck (with something)
9. 1. to set (a table) for a meal
   2. to set (food) on a table
10. to push apart or farther apart
11. ☆ to record in full; enter (on a record)
12. to flatten out (a rivet, etc.) by hammering

Etymology: ME spreden < OE sprædan, akin to Ger spreiten < IE *sprei-d-, to sprinkle, strew < base *(s)p(h)er-, to strew, spray, burst (of buds) > spray, sprawl, sprout

intransitive verb

1. to extend itself; be extended or expanded
2. to become distributed or dispersed
3. to be made widely or more widely known, felt, existent, etc.; be disseminated, propagated, or diffused
4. to be pushed apart or farther apart
5. to be of such consistency that it can be distributed in a thin layer, as butter; be capable of being smeared

noun

1. the act of spreading; extension; expansion; diffusion
2. 1. the extent to which something is spread or can be spread
   2. the interval or difference between the highest and lowest figures of a set, as of the scores of a test
   3. the difference between related prices, rates, etc., as that between the prices at which a broker buys and sells shares of a stock
   4. in betting, the number of points by which a team, esp. a football team, is expected to defeat its opponent
3. an expanse; extent; stretch; compass
4. ☆
   1. two facing pages of a newspaper, magazine, etc., treated as a single continuous sheet, as in advertising
   2. printed matter set across a page, or across several columns, of a newspaper, magazine, etc.
5. ☆ a cloth cover for a table, bed, etc.
6. ☆ any soft substance, as jam, butter, etc., used for spreading on bread
7. Informal a meal, esp. one with a wide variety of food
8. Informal a pretentious display
9. ☆ a ranch, or any large farm or estate