Definition of "distribute" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To divide into portions and dispense.

   • He distributed the bread amongst his followers.

2. (transitive) To supply to retail outlets.

   • The agency distributes newspapers to local shops.

3. (transitive) To deliver or pass out.

   • A network of children distributes flyers to every house.

4. (transitive) To scatter or spread.

   • I raked the soil then distributed grass seed.

5. (transitive) To apportion (more or less evenly).

   • The robot's six legs distributed its weight over a wide area.

6. (transitive) To classify or separate into categories.

   • The database distributed verbs into transitive and intransitive segments.

7. (intransitive, mathematics) To be distributive.

   • Multiplication distributes over addition.

8. (printing) To separate (type which has been used) and return it to the proper boxes in the cases.

9. (printing) To spread (ink) evenly, as upon a roller or a table.

10. (logic) To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as universal in one premise.

11. (business) To have employees working remotely from multiple locations.

    • distributed business; distributed employee