distribute
/dɪˈstrɪbjut/
Reviewed on
Type
Verb
Meaning
To give out or divide shares of something among a number of people or groups.
Volunteers distribute hot meals to homeless residents in the park every morning.
Have the staff distributed all the informational packets yet?
To supply goods to retailers, businesses, or customers throughout a region or market.
A local logistics company distributes the merchandise to convenience stores across the state.
Why didn't the warehouse distribute the new products on schedule?
To spread or scatter something evenly or over an entire surface or area.
Rake the mulch gently to distribute it evenly across the flower bed.
The designer distributed weight across several support beams to improve stability.
How it's used
When this means “give out to people”
- distribute food to the crowd
“distribute them to the crowd.”
The charity will distribute blankets to families in need.
When this means “spread over a surface”
- distribute the weight evenly
“distribute it evenly.”
Carefully distribute the sauce over the dough.
Collocations
- distribute evenly
- distribute food
- distribute flyers
- distribute aid
- distribute goods
- distribute wealth
- distribute resources
Synonyms
- hand out
- give out
- deliver
- spread
- disperse