"spreading" in the noun sense
1. spread, spreading
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
2. dissemination, airing, public exposure, spreading
the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate
3. spread, spreading
act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
"spreading" in the verb sense
1. spread, distribute
distribute or disperse widely
"The invaders spread their language all over the country"
2. spread, propagate
become distributed or widespread
"the infection spread"
"Optimism spread among the population"
3. spread, overspread
spread across or over
"A big oil spot spread across the water"
4. unfold, spread, spread out, open
spread out or open from a closed or folded state
"open the map"
"spread your arms"
5. circulate, circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate, propagate, broadcast, spread, diffuse, disperse, pass around
cause to become widely known
"spread information"
"circulate a rumor"
"broadcast the news"
6. go around, spread, circulate
become widely known and passed on
"the rumor spread"
"the story went around in the office"
7. spread, scatter, spread out
strew or distribute over an area
"He spread fertilizer over the lawn"
"scatter cards across the table"
8. diffuse, spread, spread out, fan out
move outward
"The soldiers fanned out"
9. spread
cover by spreading something over
"spread the bread with cheese"
10. spread
distribute over a surface in a layer
"spread cheese on a piece of bread"
Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)
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