spread

Spread means to lay open, stretch out, or smear. (verb)

An example of to spread is unfolding and laying out a blanket for a picnic.
An example of to spread is the phrase spread out, someone laying on their back with their arms fully extended.
An example of to spread is using a knife to cover a piece of toast with peanut butter.

See spread in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb spread, spreading

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

intransitive verb

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

noun

the act of spreading; extension; expansion; diffusion
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
an expanse; extent; stretch; compass
☆
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.
☆ a cloth cover for a table, bed, etc.
☆ any soft substance, as jam, butter, etc., used for spreading on bread
Informal a meal, esp. one with a wide variety of food
Informal a pretentious display
☆ a ranch, or any large farm or estate

See spread in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(sprĕd)

verb spread spread, spread·ing, spreads

verb, transitive

To open to a fuller extent or width; stretch: spread out the tablecloth; a bird spreading its wings.
To make wider the gap between; move farther apart: spread her fingers.
a. To distribute over a surface in a layer: spread varnish on the steps.
b. To cover with a layer: spread a cracker with butter.
a. To distribute widely: The tornado spread destruction.
b. To make a wide or extensive arrangement of: We spread the bicycle parts out on the floor.
c. To exhibit or display the full extent of: the scene that was spread before us.
To cause to become widely seen or known; scatter or disseminate: spread the news; spread the beam of the flashlight.
a. To prepare (a table) for eating; set.
b. To arrange (food or a meal) on a table.
To flatten (a rivet end, for example) by pounding.

verb, intransitive

To be extended or enlarged.
To become distributed or widely dispersed.
To increase in range of occurrence; become known or prevalent over a wide area: The word spread fast.
To be exhibited, displayed, or visible in broad or full extent: the vista spread seemingly to infinity.
To become or admit of being distributed in a layer.
To become separated; be forced farther apart.

noun

a. The act of spreading.
b. Dissemination, as of news; diffusion.
a. An open area of land; an expanse.
b. A ranch, a farm, or an estate.
The extent or limit to which something is or can be spread; range.
A cloth covering for a bed, table, or other piece of furniture.
Informal An abundant meal laid out on a table.
A food to be spread on bread or crackers.
a. Two facing pages of a magazine or newspaper, often with related matter extending across the fold.
b. A story or advertisement running across two or more columns of a magazine or newspaper.
A difference, as between two figures or totals.
a. A position taken in two or more options or futures contracts in order to profit from a change in their relative prices.
b. The difference between the price asked and bid for a particular security.
A number of points offered to equalize the chances of winning in a wager on a competition, usually between sports teams. Also called point spread.
Wingspread.