n.

1. process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space;
   spreading
2. a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures;
   gap
   
   • gap between income and outgo
   • the spread between lending and borrowing costs
3. farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle);
   ranch, cattle ranch, cattle farm
4. a haphazard distribution in all directions;
   scatter
5. a tasty mixture to be spread on bread or crackers;
   paste
6. a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed;
   banquet, feast
   
   • a banquet for the graduating seniors
   • the Thanksgiving feast
   • they put out quite a spread
7. two facing pages of a book or other publication;
   spread head, spreadhead, facing pages
8. the expansion of a person's girth (especially at middle age)
   
   • she exercised to avoid that middle-aged spread
9. decorative cover for a bed;
   bedspread, bedcover, bed cover, bed covering, counterpane
10. act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time;
    spreading

v.

1. distribute or disperse widely;
   distribute
   
   • The invaders spread their language all over the country
2. become distributed or widespread;
   propagate
   
   • the infection spread
   • Optimism spread among the population
3. spread across or over;
   overspread
   
   • A big oil spot spread across the water
4. spread out or open from a closed or folded state;
   unfold, spread out, open
   
   • open the map
   • spread your arms
5. cause to become widely known;
   circulate, circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate, propagate, broadcast, diffuse, disperse, pass around
   
   • spread information
   • circulate a rumor
   • broadcast the news
6. become widely known and passed on;
   go around, circulate
   
   • the rumor spread
   • the story went around in the office
7. strew or distribute over an area;
   scatter, spread out
   
   • He spread fertilizer over the lawn
   • scatter cards across the table
8. move outward;
   diffuse, spread out, fan out
   
   • The soldiers fanned out
9. cover by spreading something over
   
   • spread the bread with cheese
10. distribute over a surface in a layer
    
    • spread cheese on a piece of bread

adj.

1. distributed or spread over a considerable extent;
   dispersed
   
   • has ties with many widely dispersed friends
   • eleven million Jews are spread throughout Europe
2. prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out
   
   • a table spread with food
3. fully extended in width;
   outspread
   
   • outspread wings
   • with arms spread wide