- Main Entry:
- dis·trib·ute
- Pronunciation:
-
\di-ˈstri-byüt also -byət British also ˈdis-tri-ˌbyüt\
- Function:
- verb
- Inflected Form(s):
- dis·trib·ut·ed; dis·trib·ut·ing
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere, from dis- + tribuere to allot — more at tribute
- Date:
- 15th century
transitive verb1: 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” distributes “man” but not “mortal”>3 a: to divide or separate especially into kinds b: to return the units of (as typeset matter) to storage4: to use in or as an operation so as to be mathematically distributiveintransitive verb: to be mathematically distributive <multiplication distributes over addition>
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dis·trib·u·tee \dis-ˌtri-byü-ˈtē\ 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>.
