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Definition of manspreading

manspreading

/ˈmænˌsprɛd.ɪŋ/
man · spread · ing
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manspreading Lexical Profile

manspreading Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The practice whereby a man, especially one traveling on public transport, adopts a sitting posture with his legs wide apart, in such a way as to encroach on an adjacent seat or seats.

Example

"The transit authority launched a public awareness campaign to discourage manspreading on crowded subway cars."

Word Nuance & Usage

Used almost exclusively in informal and critical contexts regarding public transit etiquette and gender dynamics.

• Nearby Words

mansplaining
manspread
manspreader
manspreading
manta
manta ray
mantaro

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 2010s on social media as a compound of 'man' and 'spreading', gaining widespread recognition after a 2014 public transit etiquette campaign in New York City.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Manspreading. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/manspreading
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