spread*/*/

[spred] (past tense past participle spread) verb I

1) [I/T] to gradually affect a larger area or a large number of people or things, or to make something do this

Rain will spread from the west this evening.[/ex]

Soldiers returning from the war spread the disease through the region.[/ex]

UN leaders hope to prevent the fighting from spreading.[/ex]

2) [T] to open something that is folded so that it covers a surface

The map was spread on the floor.[/ex]

We spread the blanket on the grass and sat down on it.[/ex]

3) [I/T] to put things in many parts of an area, or to be present in many parts of a large area

There are 54 community colleges spread across California.[/ex]

4) [T] to cover a surface with a thin layer of a soft food

Maureen spread jam on her toast.[/ex]

First, spread the bread with mayonnaise.[/ex]

5) [I/T] if information spreads, or if you spread it, it becomes known by more people than before

Someone has been spreading nasty rumours about Stella's private life.[/ex]

6) [T] to make something happen at several times during a long period, instead of all at once

You can spread your payments over five years.[/ex]

7) [T] to move your arms, legs, or hands so that they are far apart

Syn:

extend

•

- spread out

- spread sth out

II

noun

spread [spred]

1) [singular] the growth or development of something, so that it affects a larger area or a larger number of people

There were concerns about the spread of fighting to other regions.[/ex]

2) [C/U] a soft food that you put on bread and similar foods

a low-fat spread[/ex]

3) [C] a long article in a newspaper or magazine

a double-page/two-page spread[/ex]

4) [singular] a number of different things

Syn:

range

You minimize risk by investing in a spread of companies.[/ex]