spreadsheet

noun

spread·​sheet ˈspred-ˌshēt How to pronounce spreadsheet (audio)
: a computer program that allows the entry, calculation, and storage of data in columns and rows
also : the ledger layout modeled by such a program

Examples of spreadsheet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Matrices—little spreadsheets of numbers—can undergo operations such as flips and transpositions, which must be done in a certain order to get the correct result. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026 But using spreadsheets or paper and pen is time-consuming and increases the risks of errors. — Dana Miranda, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 Sphere will be replacing outdated workflow processes that had included emails, spreadsheets and siloed apps. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 Building a network from a standing start took far longer than the spreadsheet allowed, and pricing across a currency that has moved as sharply as the lira has in recent years can erase a margin between quote and payment. — Ali Aydan, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spreadsheet

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spreadsheet was in 1980

Rhymes for spreadsheet

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Browse Nearby Words

spread-set
spreadsheet
spread the wealth
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Cite this Entry

“Spreadsheet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spreadsheet. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spreadsheet

noun
spread·​sheet ˈspred-ˌshēt How to pronounce spreadsheet (audio)
: an accounting program for a computer
also : the ledger layout simulated by such a program

More from Merriam-Webster on spreadsheet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spreadsheet

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