distribute

verb

dis·​trib·​ute di-ˈstri-byüt How to pronounce distribute (audio)
also
-byət How to pronounce distribute (audio)
 British also  ˈdi-stri-ˌbyüt
distributed; distributing
Synonyms of distributenext

transitive verb

1
: to divide among several or many : apportion
distribute expenses
distributes toys to needy children
2
a
: to spread out so as to cover something : scatter
evenly distribute the seeds
b
: to give out or deliver especially to members of a group
distribute newspapers
distribute leaflets
distribute a TV show to local stations
c
: to place or position so as to be properly apportioned over or throughout an area
200 pounds distributed on a 6-foot frame
distribute the frosting around the top and sides of the cake
d
logic : to use (a term) so as to convey information about every member of the class named
The proposition "all men are mortal" distributes "man" but not "mortal."
3
a
: to divide or separate especially into kinds
distributing specimens into their proper classes
b
: to return the units of (something, such as typeset matter) to storage
4
mathematics : to use in or as an operation so as to be mathematically distributive (see distributive sense 3a)
Addition is not distributed over multiplication.

intransitive verb

mathematics : to be mathematically distributive
multiplication distributes over addition
distributee
dis-ˌtri-byü-ˈtē How to pronounce distribute (audio)
noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for distribute

distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group.

distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

dispensed wisdom to the students

divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

Examples of distribute in a Sentence

distribute the assignments according to seniority committed to distributing the school's limited scholarship money so that it benefits more students
Recent Examples on the Web Commissioned by Stazione Centrale, the piece evokes the mountains from which the tunnel was excavated, with paper images glued onto vertical slats and distributed to form a layered composition with the station visible behind. —James Imam, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024 The announcement also underscores Imax’s plans to create and distribute more concert movies. —Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 14 Apr. 2024 Today, there’s a lot of ways to make music, to distribute music, to get out of your comfort zone to reach more people. —Lucas Villa, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2024 Miramax will finance the new Scary Movie and Paramount will distribute. —Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024 The posters are available for free online in more than 30 languages, and anyone can print them out and distribute them. —Mansee Khurana, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024 Greedy merchants, corrupt Hamas officials, and criminal enterprises regularly seize aid meant to be distributed for free and resell it at highly inflated prices. —Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024 Tuesday’s action will transfer that money into a grant that will be distributed to organizations assisting in storm response and recovery efforts through June 30. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024 Free cable gun locks will be distributed at the event. —Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distribute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere, from dis- + tribuere to allot — more at tribute

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of distribute was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near distribute

distributary

distribute

distributed

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distribute. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

distribute

verb
dis·​trib·​ute dis-ˈtrib-yət How to pronounce distribute (audio)
distributed; distributing
1
: to divide among several or many
distributed the food to the needy
2
: to spread out so as to cover something : scatter
3
: to give out or deliver especially to members of a group
distribute the directions to the class
distribute newspapers
4
: to divide or separate especially into kinds

Legal Definition

distribute

transitive verb
dis·​trib·​ute di-ˈstri-byüt How to pronounce distribute (audio)
distributed; distributing
1
: to divide among several or many : apportion
2
: to give out or deliver especially to members of a group see also dividend

More from Merriam-Webster on distribute

Nglish: Translation of distribute for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of distribute for Arabic Speakers

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