distribute

American  

[dih-strib-yoot] / dɪˈstrɪb yut /

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.

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distribute British  

/ 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)

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• distributable adjective
• predistribute verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of distribute

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

Explanation

To distribute is to disperse widely, hand out, or spread around. While you're still snoozing, the paper boy is busy distributing the newspaper all over the neighborhood. This verb was first recorded in the early 15th century and has its roots in the Latin distributus, meaning “to divide.” Think of dividing up the last cookies in the cookie jar and passing them out to all your friends. Distribute can also mean to space out or arrange in a particular order — you'd want to distribute the chairs in even lines across the floor when setting up for a concert, for example.

Example Sentences

“Grantors often direct the trustee to distribute funds only when certain needs arise. Those needs include “medical or dental care, tuition and job training, basic living costs like housing or groceries if desired.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

The way to benefit from more Russian helium eventually getting on the market is through companies that make or sell storage tanks or that distribute the helium.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

"Over a century later, it is emerging as an elegantly conserved mechanism at the heart of mitochondrial biology. This biophysical process offers a simple and energy efficient means to distribute the mitochondrial genome."

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

A lot of the electricity is coming from offshore wind in northern Scotland and many more cables are being installed to distribute this power across the country.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Lee quietly gives the order to unload the supply train and distribute the food in an organized fashion.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

Related Words

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