distribute

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈstrɪbjuːt, ˈdɪstrɪbjuːt/

verb

[with object]
  • 1give a share or a unit of (something) to each of a number of recipients: information leaflets are being distributed to hotels
  • supply (goods) to retailers: the journal is distributed worldwide
  • Printing separate (metal type that has been set up) and return the characters to their separate compartments in a type case.
  • 2 (be distributed) occur throughout an area: the birds are mainly distributed in marshes and river valleys
  • spread (a load) over an area: the seat is designed to ensure the weight of the passenger is evenly distributed
  • (as adjective distributed) Computing (of a computer system) spread over several machines, especially over a network: a distributed system
  • 3 Logic use (a term) to include every individual of the class to which it refers: the middle term must be distributed, at least once, in the premises

Derivatives

distributable

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin distribut- 'divided up', from the verb distribuere, from dis- 'apart' + tribuere 'assign'

The word distribute is pronounced either with the stress on the -stri- or with the stress on the dis-. Until recently the latter, with the stress on the first syllable, was considered incorrect in standard British English, but now both pronunciations are standard.