distribute
dih-STRIHB-yoot
Distribute (verb) means to divide something up and hand it out to a number of people or places. Example: “Volunteers distributed food to families after the storm.”
verb
1
To divide something up and hand it out to a number of people or places.
"Volunteers distributed food to families after the storm."
"The company distributes its products to stores across the country."
"Please distribute these leaflets evenly among the people waiting outside."
How to use distribute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo spread something out or hand it out among a group.
Common pairings
distribute food
distribute evenly
widely distributed
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like distribute.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- distributes
- Past tense
- distributed
- Archaic forms
- distributest, distributedst, distributeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Volunteers _____ food to families after the storm.
Etymology
From Latin distribuere, "to divide out," combining dis- ("apart") with tribuere ("to give" or "grant") — the same root as tribute.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for distribute
See all rhymes for distribute →Frequently asked questions
What does “distribute” mean?
The word “distribute” means to divide something up and hand it out to a number of people or places. In plain terms, to spread something out or hand it out among a group.
How do you pronounce “distribute”?
“Distribute” is pronounced dih-STRIHB-yoot (/dɪˈstɹɪbjut/ in IPA).
How do you use “distribute” in a sentence?
Here is “distribute” used in a sentence: “Volunteers distributed food to families after the storm.”
What is another word for “distribute”?
Words with a similar meaning to “distribute” include dispend, parcel out, sparble, strew, sort and administer.
What is the opposite of “distribute”?
The opposite of “distribute” — its antonyms — are amass, concentrate, consolidate, gather and reassemble.
What part of speech is “distribute”?
“Distribute” is a verb.
Where does the word “distribute” come from?
The word “distribute” comes from Latin. From Latin distribuere, "to divide out," combining dis- ("apart") with tribuere ("to give" or "grant") — the same root as tribute.
Is “distribute” a common word?
“Distribute” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between distribute and deliver?
Distribute means to divide something up and hand it out to a number of people or places, emphasizing spreading items across multiple recipients. Deliver simply means to bring something to a specific destination or person, without necessarily implying division among many recipients.
What is the difference between distribute and publish?
Distribute refers to physically or systematically dividing and handing out goods, materials, or copies to multiple people or places. Publish specifically refers to preparing and issuing written, printed, or digital content for public release, which may then be distributed.
What kinds of objects are commonly used with distribute?
Distribute is commonly used with nouns like goods, supplies, food, leaflets, funds, or resources, as in 'distribute aid to affected areas.' It generally implies dividing a quantity among multiple recipients or locations.
