spread
verb (used with object)
to draw, stretch, or open out, especially over a flat surface, as something rolled or folded (often followed byout ).
spreading
-
present participleof spread.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
It didn't take long for the plan to bear fruit, with larger fish finding a home in the protected area and then spreading into the neighbouring waters.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
Mature macrophages often collect in organs such as the lungs and liver instead of spreading widely throughout the body.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
An option to exclude AI from companies’ general liability and other policies is spreading through the industry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Whether spreading pigment across the desert floor, choreographing participants into a living drawing or appearing in her own films, Albuquerque brings a human presence into environments whose scale can dwarf it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
“We Americans know, although others appear to forget, the risks of spreading conflict. We still seek no wider war.”
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
