distribute

Pronunciation: /dɪˈstrɪbjuːt, ˈdɪstrɪbjuːt/

Translate distribute | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of distribute

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

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.

distribute in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of distribute in the US English dictionary

Subscriber login

Library card login

Other

distribute

verb

Derivatives

distributable

Origin:

distribute in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Word of the day

cur