rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydistributeGiving out shares
verb

distribute

dih-STRIB-yoot/dɪˈstrɪbjuːt/

To apportion something among separate recipients or positions.

A volunteer distributes oranges into three baskets, one for each recipient.

Volunteer hands one orange each into three recipients' baskets, orderly sharing.
Etymology
disLatinindividually
+tributeLatinto assign, grant, allot

Here dis- marks individual allocation, not reversal: combined with assigning or granting, it means dealing out in portions. That image underlies giving or spreading things among separate recipients or places.

In context

Claire Smith13:32
give it a shake to distribute the oxygen around the bottle
What Is Maceration How to Macerate Fragrances Explained Why Middle Eastern Perfumes Perfume Science

More examples

  • The manager distributes the remaining work among three teams.
  • Distribute the seeds evenly across the soil.
  • To expand the expression, distribute the factor to every term.

Forms

distribute · distributes · distributed · distributing

distribution noun — The act of giving out or spreading something.

Similar words

allocate
Emphasizes assigning portions for a specific purpose or recipient.
divide
Emphasizes separating something into parts, not necessarily handing them out.
dispense
Usually means giving out supplies, medicine, or services as needed.