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
Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
As generations of stars have lived, died and spilled their innards into space, some of their carbon has ended up in molecular clouds — patches of space where motes of gas and dust crowd close enough together to block out light.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024
Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
While officials have yet to say what caused or led up to the spill, Cleves Water Works has found no indication that the incident will affect residents' water.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spill 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Ultimate Reading Satisfaction Oh…and the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is still waterproof, which is welcome news for all of you that are reading poolside or at the beach (or are just prone to spilling your tea while reading).
—Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
As generations of stars have lived, died and spilled their innards into space, some of their carbon has ended up in molecular clouds — patches of space where motes of gas and dust crowd close enough together to block out light.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
The carpet cleaner uses a liquid solution to penetrate your carpet and remove stains and spills, leaving the result brighter and spotless.
—Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
While officials have yet to say what caused or led up to the spill, Cleves Water Works has found no indication that the incident will affect residents' water.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 12 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 28 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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