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spread

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noun American English pronunciation: spread /spred/ 
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singularspread
pluralspreads
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [singular] the growth or development of something, so that it affects a larger area or a larger number of people
    spread of:

    There were concerns about the spread of fighting to other regions.

    The goal of U.S. foreign policy at that time was to prevent the spread of communism.

    The spread of literacy has greatly improved the region's economic performance.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of spread
    1. a.
      a situation in which disease begins to infect more and more people

      They still do not know how to prevent the spread of the disease.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of spread
    2. b.
      a situation in which a fire starts to affect a larger area than before

      Close doors to delay the spread of fire and smoke.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of spread
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] soft food that you put on bread and similar foods

    We prefer low-fat spreads to butter.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of spread
  3. 3
    [singular] a number of different things
    spread of:

    You minimize risk by investing in a spread of companies.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of spread
  6. 6
    [countable] informal a large meal with a lot of different dishes to choose from

    That was quite a spread they put on last night.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of spread
  8. 8
    [singular] the width of something

    The mature plant is around six feet tall with a spread of four feet.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of spread

This is the American English definition of spread. View British English definition of spread.

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