distribute
Use Distribute in a sentence
yut verb (used with object), dis·trib·ut·ed, dis·trib·ut·ing.
1.
to divide and give out in shares; deal out; allot.
2.
to disperse through a space or over an area; spread; scatter.
3.
to promote, sell, and ship or deliver (an item or line of merchandise) to individual customers, especially in a specified region or area.
4.
to pass out or deliver (mail, newspapers, etc.) to intended recipients.
5.
to divide into distinct phases: The process was distributed into three stages.
6.
to divide into classes: These plants are distributed into 22 classes.
7.
Logic. to employ (a term) in a proposition so as to refer to all individuals denoted by the term.
8.
Physical Chemistry. to dissolve uniformly in a solvent consisting of layers of immiscible or partially miscible substances.
9.
Printing.
a.
to roll out (ink) on the table to attain the proper consistency.
b.
to return (type) to the proper place after printing.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin distribūtus, past participle of distribuere to divide up. See dis-1, tribute
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin distribūtus, past participle of distribuere to divide up. See dis-1, tribute
Related forms
dis·trib·ut·a·ble, adjective
pre·dis·trib·ute, verb (used with object), pre·dis·trib·ut·ed, pre·dis·trib·ut·ing.
Synonyms
1. assign, mete, apportion. Distribute, dispense apply to giving out something. Distribute implies apportioned, individualized giving, especially of something that is definite or limited in amount or number: The prizes were distributed among ten winners. Dispense formerly implied indiscriminate, general, and liberal giving, especially of something that was more or less indefinite or unmeasured in amount: to dispense largess. It now applies chiefly to giving according to need or deserts, from an organized and official source: to dispense medicines and food to the victims. 6. dispose, sort, arrange, categorize.
1. assign, mete, apportion. Distribute, dispense apply to giving out something. Distribute implies apportioned, individualized giving, especially of something that is definite or limited in amount or number: The prizes were distributed among ten winners. Dispense formerly implied indiscriminate, general, and liberal giving, especially of something that was more or less indefinite or unmeasured in amount: to dispense largess. It now applies chiefly to giving according to need or deserts, from an organized and official source: to dispense medicines and food to the victims. 6. dispose, sort, arrange, categorize.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To distribute
00:10
Distribute
is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
distribute (dɪˈstrɪbjuːt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to give out in shares; dispense |
| 2. | to hand out or deliver: to distribute handbills |
| 3. | (often passive) to spread throughout a space or area: gulls are distributed along the west coast |
| 4. | (often passive) to divide into classes or categories; classify: these books are distributed in four main categories |
| 5. | printing to return (used type) to the correct positions in the type case |
| 6. | logic to incorporate in a distributed term of a categorial proposition |
| 7. | maths, logic to expand an expression containing two operators in such a way that the precedence of the operators is changed; for example, distributing multiplication over addition in a(b + c) yields ab + ac |
| 8. | obsolete to dispense (justice) |
| [C15: from Latin distribuere from | |
| dis'tributable | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
distribute
mid-15c., from L. distribut-, pp. stem of distribuere (see distribution). Related: Distributed; distributing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
With compact-disc sales plummeting, record companies are rethinking how to distribute copyright music online.
Palm became the latest handset maker to launch its own marketplace to distribute mobile software from independent developers.
Distribute the worksheet and have students research globalization.
OU teaches students how to grow, distribute and market cannabis.
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