distribute
verb (used with object)
to divide and give out in shares; deal out; allot.
was distributing
-
past progressiveof distribute.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
AFP visited the village on Thursday, when the WFP was distributing supplies to villagers on the main square as part of a three-month program worth $80 million.
From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026
In a sign of the distress that is spreading, the government was distributing a brochure to residents Wednesday, encouraging them to prepare for an unspecified emergency.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026
There are only three GHF aid points, compared to 400 that existed when the UN was distributing aid.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2025
Within a few hours, CrowdStrike was distributing a piece of software that removed the buggy code.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2024
"Here's a drop letter for you, Jack," remarked Gif, who was distributing some of the mail.
From The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island or, The Old Lumberman's Treasure Box by Edward Stratemeyer
