Fan out Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/3Movements Used for describing physical spreading of people or things in an area. The search party fanned out to cover more ground. Pro Tip 2/3Strategy Often implies a deliberate, organized action for efficiency. Detectives fanned out to canvass the neighborhood. Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal Can be metaphorical, not just describing physical action. Rumors about the celebrity fanned out quickly.