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
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
El Tayeb Siddig/Reuters That funding was part of some $661 million that USAID distributed in Sudan last year, accounting for nearly half of the global humanitarian response to the crisis.
—
Violet Ikong, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2025
Skyline Media has distributed more than 800 international films and served as sales agent for over 150 Vietnamese and Southeast Asian titles.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025
Other candidates in the District 2 race could play a significant role in shaping its outcome through the city’s ranked-choice system, which allows voters to list their preferred candidates and distributes votes between the top vote-getters until someone wins a majority.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
As a result, by independently moving up and down along with the legs, the two sides of the saddle reportedly transfer pressure from the sit bones to the femurs, distributing the load more evenly (and less painfully).
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distribute
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Violet Ikong, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2025
Skyline Media has distributed more than 800 international films and served as sales agent for over 150 Vietnamese and Southeast Asian titles.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025
Other candidates in the District 2 race could play a significant role in shaping its outcome through the city’s ranked-choice system, which allows voters to list their preferred candidates and distributes votes between the top vote-getters until someone wins a majority.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
As a result, by independently moving up and down along with the legs, the two sides of the saddle reportedly transfer pressure from the sit bones to the femurs, distributing the load more evenly (and less painfully).
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distribute
Cite this Entry
“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distribute. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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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