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

However, the supplier questioned how the money will be distributed – and warned that vulnerable firms could not afford to take on more debt.

From BBC

By its end, it will have distributed more than £14.5m of government funding to areas where it will be most effective in getting women and girls into rugby.

From BBC

He said the shooter used apps designed to track ICE officers, and said those producing and distributing them are "well aware of the dangers that they are exposing to law enforcement".

From BBC

InPost UK, which distributes parcels to lockers for customers to collect, has apologised for network "delays" caused by an IT issue.

From BBC

Some have called for changes to the scheme, including a proposal that funds be distributed directly to parents so that they can prepare meals for their children instead.

From BBC

Related Words

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