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Definition of spread noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

spread

noun
 OPAL S
 
/spred/
 
/spred/
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    increase

  1.  
     [uncountable] an increase in the amount or number of something that there is, or in the area that is affected by something
    • measures to halt the spread of the disease
    • to prevent/stop the spread of something
    • One disadvantage is the company's lack of geographical spread.
    • The treaty has proved rather effective at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons.
    • The aim is to encourage the spread of information about the condition.
    • Shut doors to delay the spread of fire.
    • the spread of a city into the surrounding areas
    • Such unhygienic conditions encourage the spread of disease.
    see also community spread, middle-age spread
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • good
    • great
    • wide
    • …
    verb + spread
    • encourage
    • promote
    • halt
    • …
    preposition
    • spread of
    See full entry
    2.

    range/variety

  2. [countable, usually singular] spread (of something/somebody) a range or variety of things or people
    • a broad spread of opinions
    • There was a good spread of scores on the test.
    Extra Examples
    • Try to have a broad spread of investments, rather than concentrating on one industry.
    • The questionnaire revealed a wide spread of opinions on the issues.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • good
    • great
    • wide
    • …
    verb + spread
    • encourage
    • promote
    • halt
    • …
    preposition
    • spread of
    See full entry
    3.

    on bread

  3. [countable, uncountable] a soft food that you put on bread
    • Use a low-fat spread instead of butter.
    • They offered me some crackers with cheese spread.
    4.

    area covered

  4. [countable, usually singular] spread (of something) the area that something exists in or happens in
    • The company has a good geographical spread of hotels in this country.
    • The current survey will have a wider geographical spread.
  5. [countable, usually singular] spread (of something) how wide something is or the area that something covers
    • The bird's wings have a spread of nearly a metre.
    6.

    in newspaper/magazine

  6. [countable] an article or advertisement in a newspaper or magazine, especially one that covers two opposite pages
    • The story continued with a double-page spread on the inside pages.
    • Her work featured in a two-page spread in ‘New Woman’ magazine.
    see also centre spread
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • centre/​center
    • double
    • double-page
    • …
    phrases
    • be featured in a spread
    • feature in a spread
    See full entry
    7.

    meal

  7. [countable] (informal) a large meal, especially one that is prepared for a special occasion
    • They had laid on a huge spread for the party.
    8.

    of land/water

  8. [countable, usually singular] spread (of something) (North American English) an area of land or water
    • a vast spread of water
    • They have a huge spread in California (= a large farm or ranch).
    9.

    finance

  9. [uncountable] the difference between two rates or prices

    10. on bed

  10. (North American English)
    (also bedspread, bedcover (both British and North American English))
    [countable] an attractive cover put on top of all the sheets and covers on a bed
    11. Word OriginOld English -sprǣdan (used in combinations), of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch spreiden and German spreiten.
See spread in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee spread in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: spread

Nearby words

pepper
noun
 
 
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