distribution

 
Pronunciation: /dɪstrɪˈbjuːʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the action of sharing something out among a number of recipients: the government released about 74,000 tonnes of rice for distribution among people affected by the cyclone [count noun]: unequal distributions of income and wealth
  • the action or process of supplying goods to retailers: a manager has the choice of four types of distribution [as modifier]: an established distribution channel
  • Bridge the different number of cards of each suit in a player’s hand: strength has two ingredients, high cards and distribution
  • 2the way in which something is shared out among a group or spread over an area: changes undergone by the area have affected the distribution of its wildlife

Derivatives

distributional

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin distributio(n-), from the verb distribuere (see distribute)