distribute

[ dih-strib-yoot ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·trib·ut·ed, dis·trib·ut·ing.

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.

distribute

/ 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)

Derived Forms

• disˈtributable, adjective

Other Words From

• dis·trib·ut·a·ble adjective
• pre·dis·trib·ute verb (used with object) predistributed predistributing

Word History and Origins

Origin of distribute¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of distribute¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

This is effectively an anti-dilution fund, to compensate the other 10 teams for the loss of prize money they would incur if the money had to be distributed 11 ways rather than 10.

From BBC

The group has been travelling to villages, meeting Naga elders, organising lectures and distributing educational materials such as comic books and videos to spread awareness.

From BBC

Your choice of squeeze-bottle sauce is added inside, followed by the hot dog, which evenly distributes the sauce, creating a wildly addictive and affordable meal at roughly $3 to $4 apiece.

From Salon

In January, the DEA charged two doctors in St. Louis, Missouri for distributing ketamine without authorization, and the agency also charged two doctors in connection to Perry’s death this summer.

From Salon

The onions were directly distributed in many western and midwestern states, including Colorado, Iowa, and Kansas.

From BBC

Related Words

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