1. Act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
   "The spreading of misinformation on social media is a growing concern";
   - spread
    
2. Process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
   "The spreading of the virus was rapid";
   - spread
    
3. The opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate
   "Social media aided in the rapid spreading of the news";
   - dissemination, airing, public exposure

1. Disperse widely
   "The invaders spread their language all over the country";
   - distribute
    
2. Become distributed or widespread
   "the infection spread"; "Optimism spread among the population";
   - propagate
    
3. Strew or distribute over an area
   "He spread fertilizer over the lawn";
   - scatter, spread out
    
4. Distribute over a surface in a layer
   "spread cheese on a piece of bread"
    
5. Cover by spreading something over
   "spread the bread with cheese"
    
6. Move outwards to form a covering over
   "A big oil spot spread across the water";
   - overspread
    
7. Spread out or open from a closed or folded state
   "spread your arms"; "spread out your arms";
   - unfold, spread out, open
    
8. Move outward
   "The soldiers spread out";
   - diffuse, spread out, fan out
    
9. Cause to become widely known
   "spread information";
   - circulate, circularize, circularise [Brit], distribute, disseminate, propagate, broadcast, diffuse, disperse, pass around
    
10. Become widely known and passed on
    "the rumour spread";
    - go around, circulate, go round

Derived forms: spreadings

See also: travel

Type of: air, bare, change of location, circulate, continue, cover, displace, distribute, extend, extension, go, locomote, move, pass around, pass on, publicise [Brit], publicize, transmission, travel, undo

Encyclopedia: Spreading