Definition of: spread

(spred) v. spread, spread·ing v.t.
1. To open or unfold to full width, extent, etc., as wings, sail, a map, etc.
2. To distribute over a surface, especially in a thin layer; scatter or smear.
3. To cover with a layer of something: to spread toast with marmalade.
4. To force apart or farther apart: The heavy train has spread the rails.
5. To extend over a period of time; prolong: He spread the payments over a six-month period.
6. To make more widely known, active, etc.; promulgate or diffuse: to spread a rumor; to spread contagion.
7. To set (a table, etc.), as for a meal.
8. To arrange or place on a table, etc., as a meal or feast.
9. To set forth or record in full.
—v.i.
10. To be extended or expanded; increase in size, width, etc.
11. To be distributed or dispersed, as over a surface or area; scatter.
12. To become more widely known, active, etc.
13. To be forced farther apart; separate.
—noun
1. The act of spreading: the spread of the gospel.
2. An open extent or expanse.
3. The limit or extent of expansion of some designated object, as of sail or a bird's wings.
4. Aeron,. The maximum distance from tip to tip of an airplane wing.
5. A cloth or covering for a bed, table, or the like.
6. Colloq. An informal feast or banquet; also, a table with a meal set out on it.
7. Anything used to spread on bread: a cheese spread.
8. Two pages of a magazine or newspaper facing each other and covered by related material; also, print spread across two or more columns or on facing pages for advertising or display.
9. In finance and commerce, a straddle.
10. Diffusion; dispersion.
—adjective Having a broad surface; expanded; outstretched. [OE sprœdan] Synonyms (verb): circulate, diffuse, disperse, disseminate, distribute, divulge, expand, extend, promulgate, propagate, scatter. See PUBLISH, STRETCH. Antonyms: check, confine, condense, contract, restrain.