Dictionary

distributive

adjective dis·trib·u·tive \di-ˈstri-byü-tiv, -byə-\

Definition of DISTRIBUTIVE

1
:  of or relating to distribution: as
a :  dealing a proper share to each of a group
b :  diffusing more or less evenly
2
of a word :  referring singly and without exception to the members of a group <each, either, and none are distributive>
3
a :  being an operation (as multiplication in a(b + c) = ab + ac) that produces the same result when operating on the whole mathematical expression as when operating on each part and collecting the results
b :  being or relating to a rule or property concerning a distributive operation <the distributive property of multiplication with respect to addition>
dis·trib·u·tive·ly adverb
dis·trib·u·tiv·i·ty \-ˌstri-byü-ˈti-və-tē\ noun
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First Known Use of DISTRIBUTIVE

15th century

Rhymes with DISTRIBUTIVE

DISTRIBUTIVITY Defined for Kids

distributive

adjective dis·trib·u·tive \di-ˈstri-byü-tiv, -byə-\

Definition of DISTRIBUTIVE for Kids

1
:  of or relating to the act of giving or spreading out
2
:  producing the same answer when operating on the sum of several numbers as when operating on each and collecting the results <Multiplication is distributive.>

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