distribute
verb
dis·trib·ute
di-ˈstri-byüt 
also
-byət
British also ˈdi-stri-ˌbyüt
distributed; distributing
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.
mathematics
: to be mathematically distributive
multiplication distributes over addition
Synonyms
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
In court documents, prosecutors alleged that Alva or Alvarado procured fentanyl to be distributed to customers.
—
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Grenz said the Fort Collins location will brew all its beers in-house except for four core recipes that will be distributed from its flagship spot in Loveland.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2024
By 2030, the Fund will distribute $10 billion to fight climate change and biodiversity loss.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2024
In 2022-2023, district officials distributed up to $2.6 million worth of supplies to elementary students and secondary level teachers.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2024
In Minnesota in 2008, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension distributed its version of cold case cards to all 515 police departments and sheriff’s offices in the state, plus 75 county jail and annex facilities, according to the state Public Safety Department.
—Rebecca Carballo, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Antonio’s new company distributed perfumes, and before long began to produce its own line of products, including the first lipstick manufactured in Spain and a best-selling lavender fragrance.
—Clara Hernanz Lizarraga, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
Passkey support comes to the iPhone version several months after Meta started distributing it to Android WhatsApp users in October.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 24 Apr. 2024
The new system distributes wheel slip management to each individual electric motor, reducing torque reaction from 100 milliseconds to a single millisecond giving drivers even more control over icy and slippery conditions.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Grenz said the Fort Collins location will brew all its beers in-house except for four core recipes that will be distributed from its flagship spot in Loveland.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2024
By 2030, the Fund will distribute $10 billion to fight climate change and biodiversity loss.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2024
In 2022-2023, district officials distributed up to $2.6 million worth of supplies to elementary students and secondary level teachers.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2024
In Minnesota in 2008, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension distributed its version of cold case cards to all 515 police departments and sheriff’s offices in the state, plus 75 county jail and annex facilities, according to the state Public Safety Department.
—Rebecca Carballo, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Antonio’s new company distributed perfumes, and before long began to produce its own line of products, including the first lipstick manufactured in Spain and a best-selling lavender fragrance.
—Clara Hernanz Lizarraga, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
Passkey support comes to the iPhone version several months after Meta started distributing it to Android WhatsApp users in October.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 24 Apr. 2024
The new system distributes wheel slip management to each individual electric motor, reducing torque reaction from 100 milliseconds to a single millisecond giving drivers even more control over icy and slippery conditions.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 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.
Dictionary Entries Near distribute
Cite this Entry
“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distribute. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distribute
verb
dis·trib·ute
dis-ˈtrib-yət
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
distributed; distributing
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