distributor

The word “distributor” means a company or person that supplies goods from a manufacturer to shops or customers. In plain terms, someone (or something) whose job is to get goods, or electric current, to where they need to go.

Here is “distributor” used in a sentence: “The film found a US distributor at the festival.”

“Distributor” is a noun.

“Distributor” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Distributor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a company or person that supplies goods from a manufacturer to shops or customers.

A distributor is a company or person that supplies goods from a manufacturer to shops or customers, often handling logistics, marketing, and regional sales rights. A wholesaler typically buys goods in bulk and resells them to retailers, and while the roles can overlap, distributors often have closer, more official relationships with manufacturers.

In older car engines, a distributor is a part that sends electric current to the spark plugs in the correct sequence, timing the ignition of fuel in each cylinder. This mechanical component has largely been replaced by electronic ignition systems in modern vehicles.

A distributor operates between the manufacturer and the retailer, supplying goods in bulk to shops or businesses rather than selling directly to individual consumers. A retailer is the business that sells products directly to the end customer, often purchasing stock from a distributor.