distributor

or dis·trib·ut·er

[ dih-strib-yuh-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that distributes.
2. Commerce.
   1. a person, firm, etc., engaged in the general distribution or marketing of some article or class of goods.
   2. a wholesaler who has exclusive rights to market, within a given territory, the goods of a manufacturer or company.
3. Automotive, Machinery. a device in a multicylinder engine that distributes the igniting voltage to the spark plugs in a definite sequence.
4. Printing.
   1. (in a press) one of the rollers for spreading ink on the table, rolling it to a proper consistency, and transferring it to rollers that ink the form or plate.
   2. Also called distributor bar. (in a Linotype) a bar with keylike cuts along its length, for sorting matrices into their proper magazines after type has been cast.

distributor

/ dɪˈstrɪbjʊtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that distributes
2. a wholesaler or middleman engaged in the distribution of a category of goods, esp to retailers in a specific area
3. the device in a petrol engine that distributes the high-tension voltage to the sparking plugs in the sequence of the firing order

Other Words From

• sub·dis·trib·u·tor noun
• un·der·dis·trib·u·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distributor¹

From the Late Latin word distribūtor, dating back to 1520–30. See distribute, -tor

Example Sentences

Recently, the Trump biopic “The Apprentice” struggled to find a distributor after the former president’s team threatened legal action.

From Los Angeles Times

TV programs, is suing CBS, the game shows’ distributor, for breach of contract.

From Los Angeles Times

“We are discussing with some distributors in the UK,” he says.

From BBC

These networks are able to maintain carriage and increase their fee rates with distributors in part because they’re bundled with broadcast network NBC.

From Los Angeles Times

For the U.S. release of “La Cocina,” the distributor Willa partnered with One Fair Wage, a restaurant workers’ advocacy group, to present a series of screenings and events.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dealer
• trader