redistribution

American  

[ree-dis-truh-byoo-shuhn] / ˌri dɪs trəˈbyu ʃən /

noun

1. a distribution performed again or anew.

2. Economics. the theory, policy, or practice of lessening or reducing inequalities in income through such measures as progressive income taxation and antipoverty programs.

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redistribution British  

/ ˌriːdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act or instance of distributing or the state or manner of being distributed again

2. a periodic revision of the number of seats in the House of Commons, made to reflect changes in population

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redistribution Cultural  

1. Any process, such as inflation or taxation or the provision of social services, that reallocates household income.

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Other Word Forms

• redistributional adjective
• redistributory adjective

Etymology

Origin of redistribution

First recorded in 1830–40; re- + distribution

Example Sentences

The food is provided by FareShare, the food redistribution charity.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Tracking blood sugar improvements and encouraging fat redistribution through targeted nutrition and exercise could provide alternative strategies for patients who find weight loss difficult.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

Despite the corruption that pervaded his administration, Chávez presided over resource redistribution and significant reductions in poverty levels.

From Slate • Jan. 15, 2026

Part of that was driven by Kast’s predecessor Gabriel Boric, a one-time student activist who swept to power in 2021 pledging income redistribution and environmental protection.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

Societies with effective conflict resolution, sound decision making, and harmonious economic redistribution can develop better technology, concentrate their military power, seize larger and more productive territories, and crush autonomous smaller societies one by one.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond