—spread /spred/
noun (AREA COVERED)
B2 [S] the development or growth of something so that it covers a larger area or affects a larger number of people:
» The spread of the disease in the last few years has been alarming.Thesaurus+: ↑Spreading and scatteringF0 [S] the area or range covered by something:
» The survey found a wide spread of opinion over the proposed new building.Thesaurus+: ↑Range and limitsF0 [C] a large article or advertisement covering one or more pages in a newspaper or magazine:
» There's a double-page spread on the latest fashions.Thesaurus+: ↑Headlines and features in newspapers and magazines• • •
Extra Examples:» The chief problem we have in the area now is the spread of disease.» The government is trying to allay public fears about the spread of the disease.» The treatment has so far done little to arrest the spread of the cancer.» The mountains acted as a natural barrier to the spread of the disease.» The Swedes are not alone in finding their language under pressure from the ubiquitous spread of English.noun [C or U] (SOFT FOOD)
► F0 a soft food for putting on bread and biscuits: » cheese/chocolate/fish spread» There's bread and various spreads for tea.Thesaurus+: ↑Jams and spreadsnoun [C] (DIFFERENCE)
► F0 the difference between two amounts, such as two prices or interest rates: » The issue was priced at a spread of 115 basis points above Treasury bonds.Thesaurus+: ↑Different and differencenoun [C] (LAND)
► F0 US FOR RANCH(Cf. ↑ranch)Thesaurus+: ↑Farms and ranches , ↑Areas of land where crops are grownnoun [C] UK OLD-FASHIONED OR US (MEAL)
► F0 a meal, especially one for a special occasion with a lot of different dishes arranged on a table: » Sheila laid on (= made) a lovely spread for us.Thesaurus+: ↑Meals and parts of mealsverb [I or T] (spread) ↑Verb Endings for spread
► B2 to (cause to) cover, reach, or have an effect on a wider or increasing area: » The fire spread very rapidly because of the strong wind.» It started off as cancer of the liver but it spread to other areas of the body.» The redundancies are spread across the banking and building industries.» We spread the picnic rug out on the ground and sat down to eat.» The virus is spread (= given to other people) through contact with blood and other body fluids.» Are you spreading (= telling a lot of people) gossip/rumours again?» If we spread (= divide) the work between us, it won't seem so bad.» She spread her toast with a thick layer of butter./She spread a thick layer of butter on her toast.» It's a special sort of butter that spreads easily even when cold.» The suburbs spread (out) for miles to either side of the city.» Slowly a smile spread across her face.Thesaurus+: ↑Spreading and scattering• • •
Extra Examples:» Evidence suggested that the virus was spreading very quickly among the heterosexual community.» Discontent among junior ranks was rapidly spreading.» If disease is allowed to spread, it will cause widespread devastation.» The flames grew larger as the fire spread.» Rats and flies spread germs.