v.
Pronunciation: di- ' stri-byüt also -by ə t Brit also ' dis-tri- ˌ byüt
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -ut · ed ; -ut · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere, from dis- + tribuere to allot ― more at TRIBUTE
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : to divide among several or many : APPORTION < distribute expenses>
2 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 ” distribute s “ man ” but not “ mortal ” >
3 a : to divide or separate especially into kinds b : to return the units of (as typeset matter) to storage
4 : to use in or as an operation so as to be mathematically distributive
intransitive verb : to be mathematically distributive <multiplication distribute s over addition>
– dis · trib · u · tee \ dis- ˌ tri-byü- ' t ē \ noun
synonyms 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>.