/ dɪˈstrɪbjuːt; NAmE ; ˈdɪstrɪbjuːt/ verb [ vn ]
1.
distribute sth (to / among sb/sth) to give things to a large number of people; to share sth between a number of people :
The organization distributed food to the earthquake victims.
The newspaper is distributed free.
The money was distributed among schools in the area.
2.
to send goods to shops / stores and businesses so that they can be sold :
Who distributes our products in the UK?
3.
[ often passive ] to spread sth, or different parts of sth, over an area :
Make sure that your weight is evenly distributed.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin distribut- divided up, from the verb distribuere , from dis- apart + tribuere assign.