spread out phrasal verb (see also spread)

1. if a group of people spread out, they move apart from each other so that they cover a wider area:
The search party spread out to search the surrounding fields.

2. spread something ↔ out to open something out or arrange a group of things on a flat surface:
Sue spread out her notes on the kitchen table and began to write.

3. (also be spread out) to cover a large area:
The city spread out below her looked so calm.

4. spread something ↔ out to do something over a period of time, rather than at one time
spread something ↔ out over
The course is spread out over four days.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲