distribute
verb
dis·trib·ute di-ˈstri-byüt 
also
-byət British also ˈdi-stri-ˌbyüt
distributed; distributing
transitive verb
1
: to divide among several or many : apportion
distribute expenses
distributes toys to needy children
2
a
: to spread out so as to cover something : scatter
evenly distribute the seeds
b
: to give out or deliver especially to members of a group
distribute newspapers
distribute leaflets
distribute a TV show to local stations
c
: to place or position so as to be properly apportioned over or throughout an area
200 pounds distributed on a 6-foot frame
distribute the frosting around the top and sides of the cake
d
logic : 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
distributing specimens into their proper classes
b
: to return the units of (something, such as typeset matter) to storage
4
mathematics : to use in or as an operation so as to be mathematically distributive (see distributive sense 3a)
Addition is not distributed over multiplication.
intransitive verb
mathematics : to be mathematically distributive
multiplication distributes over addition
distributee
dis-ˌtri-byü-ˈtē
noun 
Synonyms
- assort
- break down
- categorize
- class
- classify
- codify
- compartment
- compartmentalize
- digest
- distinguish
- grade
- group
- peg
- place
- range
- rank
- relegate
- separate
- sort
- type
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
distribute the assignments according to seniority committed to distributing the school's limited scholarship money so that it benefits more students
Recent Examples on the Web Chad Williamson, 42, of Fitzgerald, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on Sept. 8, the office announced in a Sept. 13 news release. 
Julia Marnin The Charlotte Observer (tns), al, 13 Sep. 2022 Hull and McCarthy were both charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, including fentanyl and meth, and possession of a firearm with controlled and dangerous substances, the sheriff's office statement said. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Dones pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution, of fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon in March, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office. Hartford Courant, 2 Sep. 2022 Jerrel Greene-Martin, 23, of Roxbury, is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, trafficking in more than 10 grams of fentanyl, and resisting arrest, police said. Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2022 In March, 27-year-old Kenton Maurice Haynes was found guilty of receipt of a firearm while under indictment, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Aug. 2022 He is charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute related to the July discovery of the meth stash. Henri Hollis, ajc, 2 Aug. 2022 The men were charged with embezzlement and larceny with the intent to distribute. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 20 July 2022 Salwan Adjaj, 43, pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances before U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman. oregonlive, 13 July 2022 See More
Julia Marnin The Charlotte Observer (tns), al, 13 Sep. 2022 Hull and McCarthy were both charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, including fentanyl and meth, and possession of a firearm with controlled and dangerous substances, the sheriff's office statement said. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2022 Dones pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution, of fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon in March, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office. Hartford Courant, 2 Sep. 2022 Jerrel Greene-Martin, 23, of Roxbury, is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, trafficking in more than 10 grams of fentanyl, and resisting arrest, police said. Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2022 In March, 27-year-old Kenton Maurice Haynes was found guilty of receipt of a firearm while under indictment, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Aug. 2022 He is charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute related to the July discovery of the meth stash. Henri Hollis, ajc, 2 Aug. 2022 The men were charged with embezzlement and larceny with the intent to distribute. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 20 July 2022 Salwan Adjaj, 43, pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances before U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman. oregonlive, 13 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere, from dis- + tribuere to allot — more at tribute
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
distribute
verb
dis·trib·ute di-ˈstri-ˌbyüt
-byət
distributed; distributing
1
: to give out to or deliver to
They distribute paychecks on Friday.
2
: to divide among many or several
The money was distributed among the poor.
3
: to spread out so as to cover something
Make sure the paint is distributed evenly.
Legal Definition
distribute
transitive verb
dis·trib·ute di-ˈstri-byüt
distributed; distributing
1
: to divide among several or many : apportion
2
: to give out or deliver especially to members of a group see also dividend
distribute
verb
1
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type distribute the assignments according to seniority Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- classify
- rank
- distinguish
- relegate
- group
- separate
- categorize
- type
- organize
- identify
- place
- codify
- digest
- sort
- grade
- recognize
- list
- assort
- dispose
- class
- compartmentalize
- order
- range
- refer
- compartment
- catalog
- peg
- file
- alphabetize
- systematize
- cull
- break down
- shelve
- marshal
- array
- index
- reclassify
- draw up
- sift
- winnow
- pigeonhole
- cluster
- catalogue
- clump
- sieve
- set
- marshall
- regroup
- screen
- recategorize
- colligate
- subcategorize
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- scramble
- lump
- confuse
- disarrange
- mix (up)
- jumble
- misclassify
- missort
- mistype
2
as in to allot
to give as a share or portion committed to distributing the school's limited scholarship money so that it benefits more students Synonyms & Similar Words
- allot
- assign
- allocate
- apportion
- ration
- allow
- lot
- divide
- give
- dispense
- administer
- portion
- split
- grant
- measure
- redistribute
- deal
- part
- donate
- dole out
- contribute
- prorate
- award
- hand out
- meter
- reserve
- earmark
- reallocate
- admeasure
- reassign
- accord
- parcel (out)
- reapportion
- share (out)
- chip in
- mete (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deny
- retain
- withhold
- deprive (of)
- keep
- begrudge
- appropriate
- stint
- confiscate
- arrogate
3
as in to dispense
to give out (something) to appropriate individuals distributed pamphlets on recycling to everyone in the neighborhood Synonyms & Similar Words
- dispense
- allocate
- provide
- administer
- divide
- supply
- assign
- donate
- portion
- furnish
- apportion
- redistribute
- share
- dole out
- prorate
- disseminate
- hand out
- contribute
- circulate
- spread
- split
- disburse
- allot
- issue
- appropriate
- parcel (out)
- ration
- deal (out)
- disperse
- proportion
- lot
- bestow
- part
- allow
- scatter
- mete (out)
- dish out
- set
- pledge
- reallocate
- admeasure
- reapportion
- measure (out)
- share (out)
- divvy (up)
- chip in
- dollop (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- refuse
- withhold
- deny
- reject
- deprive (of)
- disallow
- decline
- misallocate
- begrudge
- pinch
- skimp
- stint
- niggle (out)
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of distribute are deal, dispense, divide, and dole out. While all these words 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
While the synonyms deal and distribute are close in meaning, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.
deal out equipment and supplies
The synonyms dispense and distribute are sometimes interchangeable, but 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
In some situations, the words divide and distribute are roughly equivalent. However, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.
three charitable groups divided the proceeds
While in some cases nearly identical to distribute, dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.
doled out what little food there was