distribute meaning and definition

DISTRIBUTE verb

Definition of distribute (verb)

1. administer or bestow, as in small portions
   • "administer critical remarks to everyone present"; "dole out some money"; "shell out pocket money for the children"; "deal a blow to someone"; "the machine dispenses soft drinks"
   • synonyms: administer, allot, deal, deal out, dish out, dispense, dole out, lot, mete out, parcel out, shell out
2. distribute or disperse widely
   • "The invaders spread their language all over the country"
   • synonyms: spread
   • antonym: collect
3. make available
   • "The publisher wants to distribute the book in Asia"
4. give to several people
   • "The teacher handed out the exams"
   • synonyms: give out, hand out, pass out
5. cause be distributed
   • "This letter is being circulated among the faculty"
   • synonyms: circulate, pass around, pass on
6. cause to become widely known
   • "spread information"; "circulate a rumor"; "broadcast the news"
   • synonyms: broadcast, circularise, circularize, circulate, diffuse, disperse, disseminate, pass around, propagate, spread
7. spread throughout a given area
   • "the function distributes the values evenly"
8. be distributed or spread, as in statistical analyses
   • "Values distribute"
9. be mathematically distributive
10. to arrange in a systematic order
    • "stagger the chairs in the lecture hall"
    • synonyms: stagger