distribution
noun
dis·tri·bu·tion
ˌdi-strə-ˈbyü-shən 
1
a
: the act or process of distributing
the distribution of leaflets
profit distribution
the distribution of weight
b
law
: the act or process of apportioning by a court the personal property of an intestate
2
a
: the position, arrangement, or frequency of occurrence (as of the members of a group) over an area or throughout a space or unit of time
the distribution of the country's population
b
biology
: the natural geographic range of an organism
3
a
: something distributed
charitable distributions
: such as
(1)
: a sum of money withdrawn from a fund (such as a retirement fund) and given to the beneficiary (see beneficiary sense 2b) or holder of the fund
(2)
b
mathematics
4
anatomy
: the pattern of branching and termination (see termination sense 4) of a ramifying structure (such as a nerve)
5
business
: the marketing or merchandising of commodities
keeping track of distribution costs
Synonyms
Examples of distribution in a Sentence
The group collects food and clothing for distribution to needy families.
The distribution of paychecks will happen every other Friday.
The university does not permit distribution of leaflets on campus.
She was responsible for product distribution.
The company handles the distribution of goods to stores nationwide.
He complained that the distribution of work was unfair.
He studies the distributions of wildcats in North America.
The new design provides better weight distribution.
Recent Examples on the Web
So far, Villa Albertine has benefited 250 creators who were hosted in some 50 cities across the U.S.
Bruel also oversaw the overhaul of the French embassy’s support for the distribution of French cinema and led several initiatives to promote French professionals in the U.S.
—
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
The league is expanding distribution of MLS Season Pass with new Comcast, DirecTV and T-Mobile deals.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Biden-era leaders of the NTIA developed rules for the program and approved initial funding plans submitted by every state and territory, but a major change in approach could delay distribution of funds.
—Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2025
The fentanyl is then produced, again typically in Mexico, and brought into the United States for distribution.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for distribution 
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Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
The league is expanding distribution of MLS Season Pass with new Comcast, DirecTV and T-Mobile deals.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Biden-era leaders of the NTIA developed rules for the program and approved initial funding plans submitted by every state and territory, but a major change in approach could delay distribution of funds.
—Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2025
The fentanyl is then produced, again typically in Mexico, and brought into the United States for distribution.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for distribution
Dictionary Entries Near distribution
Cite this Entry
“Distribution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distribution. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distribution
noun
dis·tri·bu·tion
ˌdis-trə-ˈbyü-shən
1
: the act or process of distributing
2
a
: the position, arrangement, or numbers (as of the members of a group) over an area or throughout a space or unit of time
b
: the natural geographic range of a living thing
the distribution of human beings
3
a
: something distributed
b
: frequency distribution
population age distribution
4
: the marketing of goods
Medical Definition
distribution
noun
dis·tri·bu·tion
ˌdis-trə-ˈbyü-shən
: the pattern of branching and termination of a ramifying anatomical structure (as a nerve or artery)
Legal Definition
distribution
noun
dis·tri·bu·tion
ˌdis-trə-ˈbyü-shən
1
: the act or process of distributing: as
b
: the payment or transfer to a beneficiary of interest to which he or she is entitled under a trust
c
: the transfer by a corporation or mutual fund of money or property to a shareholder in his or her capacity as a shareholder
d
: the initial offering to the public of a security by a corporation
e
: the delivery of a controlled substance
2
: something distributed
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