distributed

American  

[dih-strib-yoo-tid] / dɪˈstrɪb yʊ tɪd /

adjective

1. Computers.

   1. being or relating to a network of devices, workstations, etc., in different locations connected by means of one or more other networks, allowing each member to carry out some or all of the management and processing of the shared information.

      As computers began to connect across the internet, the CPU evolved from being specifically a central control system to become a node within a distributed network.

   2. being or relating to a single database shared across such a network, especially one integrating multiple smaller databases.

      Back then no one was thinking of distributed databases with hundreds of servers working to keep data consistent across the nodes.

2. Linguistics. (in distinctive feature analysis) characterized by relatively extensive contact or constriction between the articulating organs, as the in show in contrast to the in so.

3. Statistics. showing a specified type of distribution.

   A randomly distributed dominant gene has a prevalence of 75 percent.

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Other Word Forms

• undistributed adjective
• well-distributed adjective

Etymology

Origin of distributed

distribute + -ed ²

Example Sentences

"We hope this will enable us to build dramatically faster, distributed quantum computers that can talk to each other with much faster data rates."

From Science Daily

The other 86 were distributed in a longer "premiere ceremony" earlier in the day.

From BBC

These included how far the toes spread, where the heel was positioned, how much surface area contacted the ground, and how weight was distributed across different parts of the foot.

From Science Daily

In total, there are 95 awards, distributed over a mind-boggling eight hours.

From BBC

The Journal couldn’t determine how the second half of Aryam’s investment, which was due by July 15, 2025, may have been distributed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• appropriated
• assigned
• dispersed
• scattered
• shared