distribute

verb dis·trib·ute \di-ˈstri-byüt also -byət British also ˈdis-tri-ˌbyüt\

: to give or deliver (something) to people

: to deliver (something) to a store or business

: to divide (something) among the members of a group

dis·trib·ut·eddis·trib·ut·ing

Full Definition of DISTRIBUTE

transitive verb

: to divide among several or many : apportion <distribute expenses>

a : to spread out so as to cover something : scatter

b : to give out or deliver especially to members of a group <distribute newspapers> <distribute leaflets>

c : to place or position so as to be properly apportioned over or throughout an area <200 pounds distributed on a 6-foot frame>

d : 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”>

a : to divide or separate especially into kinds

b : to return the units of (as typeset matter) to storage

: to use in or as an operation so as to be mathematically distributive

intransitive verb

: to be mathematically distributive <multiplication distributes over addition>

— dis·trib·u·tee \dis-ˌtri-byü-ˈtē\ noun

See distribute defined for English-language learners

See distribute defined for kids

Origin of DISTRIBUTE

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DISTRIBUTE

Synonyms: assort, break down, categorize, class, codify, compartment, compartmentalize, digest, distinguish, classify, grade, group, peg, place, range, rank, relegate, separate, sort, type

Antonyms: misallocate

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

DISTRIBUTE Defined for Kids