spread
verb (used with object)
to draw, stretch, or open out, especially over a flat surface, as something rolled or folded (often followed byout ).
has been spreading
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present perfect progressiveof spread (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The tick-borne disease has been spreading globally since the early 2000s, most notably in Mexico and Brazil, with reported fatality rates that can exceed 50%, according to a study published by UC Davis.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
A measles outbreak in Utah has been spreading for nearly a year, putting the U.S. on a path to losing the measles-elimination status it earned more than two decades ago.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026
A dangerous tapeworm that has been spreading across North America has now been detected in the Pacific Northwest, according to new research.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 11, 2026
Nvidia had over $100 billion in operational cash flow last year, and it has been spreading that wealth around throughout the AI start-up ecosystem.
From Barron's ● Feb. 27, 2026
Starting in the West, the movement has been spreading for a century through Central Europe, Hungary, and the Balkans, till from the Turks' former subjects it has passed to the Turks themselves.
From Turkey: a Past and a Future by Arnold Joseph Toynbee
