1
: to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted
3
: to let out : divulge
spill a secret
4
a
: to relieve (a sail) from the pressure of the wind so as to reef or furl it
b
: to relieve the pressure of (wind) on a sail by coming about or by adjusting the sail with lines
5
: to throw off or out
a horse spilled him
1
a
: to flow, run, or fall out, over, or off and become wasted, scattered, or lost
water spilling over the dam
b
: to cause or allow something to spill
2
: to spread profusely or beyond bounds
crowds spilled into the streets
3
: to fall from one's place (as on a horse)
spiller
noun
1
: a wooden splinter
2
: a small roll or twist of paper or slip of wood for lighting a fire
Synonyms
Examples of spill in a Sentence
Verb
I accidentally spilled coffee all over my new suit.
Clean up the flour you spilled on the floor.
a puddle of spilled water
Water spilled over the dam.
She opened the door and light spilled into the room.
an interviewer who gets celebrities to spill their secrets
Come on, spill it. Who gave you the money?
Noun (1)
she tripped over the toy and had a nasty spill on the stairs
Recent Examples on the Web
Juhi Wadia, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Vulnerability isn’t about spilling your guts or exposing your every fear.
—Krystyna Larrave, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Wendy Wisner, Health, 1 Nov. 2024
Between 1999 and 2010, Enbridge’s operations in North America had more than 800 spills that dumped nearly 6.8 million gallons of oil, according to a NWF report.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spill 
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Verb
Its powerful suction and all-in-one cleaning system handle both vacuuming and mopping, effectively tackling dust, dirt, and spills on all floor types.
—Juhi Wadia, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Vulnerability isn’t about spilling your guts or exposing your every fear.
—Krystyna Larrave, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Consider squatting or sitting over a toilet to make removal easier—and in case of spills.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 1 Nov. 2024
Between 1999 and 2010, Enbridge’s operations in North America had more than 800 spills that dumped nearly 6.8 million gallons of oil, according to a NWF report.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spill
Dictionary Entries Near spill
Cite this Entry
“Spill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spill. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spill
1 of 2 verb1
: to cause (blood) to flow by wounding or killing
2
a
: to cause or allow to fall, flow, or run out by accident
spilled some flour on the floor
b
: to fall or run out so as to be lost or wasted
the milk spilled
c
: to spread beyond limits
crowds spilled into the streets
3
: to throw off or out
a horse spilled its rider
4
: to let out : give away
spilled the secret
spiller
noun
spill
2 of 2 noun1
a
: an act or instance of spilling
b
: a fall from a horse or vehicle
2
: something spilled
cleaning up an oil spill
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