distribute

[dih-strib-yoot]

verb (used with object)

distributed, distributing 

1. to divide and give out in shares; deal out; allot.

   Synonyms: apportion, mete, assign

2. to disperse through a space or over an area; spread; scatter.

3. to promote, sell, and ship or deliver (an item or line of merchandise) to individual customers, especially in a specified region or area.

4. to pass out or deliver (mail, newspapers, etc.) to intended recipients.

5. to divide into distinct phases.

   The process was distributed into three stages.

6. to divide into classes.

   These plants are distributed into 22 classes.

   Synonyms: categorize, arrange, sort, classify

7. Logic.,  to employ (a term) in a proposition so as to refer to all individuals denoted by the term.

8. Physical Chemistry.,  to dissolve uniformly in a solvent consisting of layers of immiscible or partially miscible substances.

9. Printing.

   1. to roll out (ink) on the table to attain the proper consistency.

   2. to return (type) to the proper place after printing.

distribute

/ dɪˈstrɪbjuːt /

verb

1. to give out in shares; dispense

2. to hand out or deliver

   to distribute handbills

3. (often passive) to spread throughout a space or area

   gulls are distributed along the west coast

4. (often passive) to divide into classes or categories; classify

   these books are distributed in four main categories

5. printing to return (used type) to the correct positions in the type case

6. logic to incorporate in a distributed term of a categorial proposition

7. maths logic to expand an expression containing two operators in such a way that the precedence of the operators is changed; for example, distributing multiplication over addition in a ( b + c ) yields ab + ac

8. obsolete,  to dispense (justice)

Other Word Forms

• distributable adjective
• predistribute verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of distribute¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin distribūtus, past participle of distribuere “to divide up”; dis- ¹, tribute

Word History and Origins

Origin of distribute¹

C15: from Latin distribuere from _dis- ¹ + tribuere to give

Synonym Study

Distribute, dispense apply to giving out something. Distribute implies apportioned, individualized giving, especially of something that is definite or limited in amount or number: The prizes were distributed among ten winners. Dispense formerly implied indiscriminate, general, and liberal giving, especially of something that was more or less indefinite or unmeasured in amount: to dispense largesse. It now applies chiefly to giving according to need or deserts, from an organized and official source: to dispense medicines and food to the victims.

Example Sentences

Compared with private equity, private credit is less risky than direct ownership because the loans are collateralized against cash flows and assets, and cash flow is distributed monthly or quarterly.

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Sullivan spread zippy sharpshooters Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel across two lines and paired them with teammates who excel at distributing the puck.

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Beyond vaccination, other academic researchers have archived federal environmental and health data, re-created searchable data tools, and sent out measles outbreak reports usually distributed by the CDC.

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Tutors taught them Cambodian dance, and on Christmas, a holiday not traditionally celebrated in Cambodia, a man dressed up as Santa Claus distributed presents.

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With Microsoft’s rise, the industrial material age slowly gave way to the postindustrial digital age, transforming how value was created and distributed.

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Related Words

• administer 
• allot 
• apportion 
• assign 
• circulate 
• disburse 
• dispense 
• disseminate 
• donate 
• give 
• give away 
• hand out 
• issue 
• present 
• scatter 
• share