distribute

[ dih-strib-yoot ]

/ dɪˈstrɪb yut /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: distribute / distributed / distributes / distributing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), dis·trib·ut·ed, dis·trib·ut·ing.

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

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

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

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

to divide into distinct phases: The process was distributed into three stages.

to divide into classes: These plants are distributed into 22 classes.

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

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

Printing.

to roll out (ink) on the table to attain the proper consistency.
to return (type) to the proper place after printing.

OTHER WORDS FOR distribute

1 assign, mete, apportion.

6 classify, sort, arrange, categorize.

See synonyms for distribute on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

synonym study for distribute

1. 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 largess. 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 WORDS FROM distribute

dis·trib·ut·a·ble, adjectivepre·dis·trib·ute, verb (used with object), pre·dis·trib·ut·ed, pre·dis·trib·ut·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use distribute in a sentence

In addition, manufacturing and distributing this vaccine is a monumental logistical and security challenge.
We can’t rely on just one company to distribute COVID vaccines|jakemeth|November 20, 2020|Fortune
They are poised to distribute the first doses of vaccine within hours of a regulatory decision.
Pfizer and BioNTech will seek regulatory clearance of their coronavirus vaccine|Carolyn Y. Johnson|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The state’s health department plans to work with licensed vaccine providers to distribute coronavirus vaccines, including pharmacy chains such as Walgreens or grocery store outlets like Food City.
Virginia’s coronavirus numbers are rising. Here’s what you need to know.|Antonio Olivo|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Obtaining that permission would allow Pfizer to distribute its vaccine to high-risk populations, like healthcare workers.
A Chinese vaccine maker says it’s inoculated 1 million people—even though its trials are incomplete|Grady McGregor|November 20, 2020|Fortune

That year, the joint congressional committee released tickets in early January to members of the House of Representatives, who distributed them to their constituents.
What will Inauguration Day look like amid a pandemic?|Emily Davies, Justin Jouvenal|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
And in many cases al-Shabab insisted on distributing the aid, keeping much of it for itself, according to ODI.
U.S. Humanitarian Aid Going to ISIS|Jamie Dettmer|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Africans are on the front lines of humanitarian efforts, distributing life-saving aid in dangerous environments.
Why the US-Africa Summit Was Important and Why It Wasn't Enough|John Prendergast|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She suggests distributing a letter to neighbors describing the person so that they may be on alert.
Is It Wrong for Parents to Lock Up Their Disabled Kids?|Elizabeth Picciuto|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sewage pipes burst on the 7th floor of the building, distributing a strong, rotten smell that seemed to match the mood.
The Rot Among the Rebels in Ukraine|Anna Nemtsova|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are at least 30 companies distributing foreign films now.
Sony Pictures Classics’ Michael Barker and Tom Bernard on Woody Allen and the State of Indie Film|Richard Porton|May 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All testified to the importance attached to Corstopitum as a storehouse and distributing centre.
The Towns of Roman Britain|James Oliver Bevan
A kind-hearted Christian lady passed through the wards one day distributing religious tracts.
A Raw Recruit's War Experiences|Ansel D. Nickerson
Callahan began distributing the work to various groups, and I went back to my office.
The Professional Approach|Charles Leonard Harness
The lids of the boxes were pried off with bayonets, and the Sergeants ran along the companies distributing the packages.
Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6)|John McElroy
"It might be," said Shorty, with visions of distributing hardtack to the hungry boys warping his judgment.
Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6)|John McElroy

British Dictionary definitions for distribute

distribute

/ (dɪˈstrɪbjuːt) /

verb (tr)

to give out in shares; dispense

to hand out or deliverto distribute handbills

(often passive) to spread throughout a space or areagulls are distributed along the west coast

(often passive) to divide into classes or categories; classifythese books are distributed in four main categories

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

logic to incorporate in a distributed term of a categorial proposition

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

obsolete to dispense (justice)

Derived forms of distribute

distributable, adjective

Word Origin for distribute

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

distribute

OTHER WORDS FOR distribute

Origin of distribute

synonym study for distribute

OTHER WORDS FROM distribute

Words related to distribute

How to use distribute in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for distribute

Derived forms of distribute

Word Origin for distribute