point spread

noun

1. a betting device, established by oddsmakers and used to attract bettors for uneven competitions, indicating the estimated number of points by which a stronger team can be expected to defeat a weaker team, the point spread being added to the weaker team's actual points in the game and this new figure then compared to the stronger team's points to determine winning bets.

Word History and Origins

Origin of point spread¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

I have not given much thought to an ACC survival point spread but probably should.

From Seattle Times

It also exhibited a micron-scale form error, sub-nanometer surface roughness and a point spread function close to the glass lens.

From Science Daily

There are a number of ways to bet the Super Bowl, from the traditional wagering on the point spread and total points to proposition bets that can vary on which player scores the first touchdown to whether the Chiefs and 49ers will combine to score more points than an NBA team.

From Seattle Times

Contrary to popular belief, the point spread is not a consensus on how many points oddsmakers think one team will win by.

From Seattle Times

This can include the point spread, the total points scored, and whether a particular player reaches or falls short of a statistical milestone.

From Seattle Times