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to distribute

to distribute

232 2.7
Make something available for people to buy or use
  • verb
  • /dɪˈstrɪbjuːt/
translation icon : distribuir
  • The volunteers will distribute food and blankets to the families affected by the storm.
  • widely distributed
  • distribute information
  • distribute materials

Maybe it starts getting distributed by middle of next year.

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Examples

  • The journal was printed in English and Japanese and distributed domestically and overseas.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Finally, the video activist group is not just producing and distributing activist videos.

    Academic text (2017)
  • I have a manufacturer that can distribute as well for me.

  • Two to four teaching opportunities for Task Sets 1 and 2 were distributed across each session.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Look for other places to publish or distribute your creativity.

  • And we all believed that the UJA would distribute the money to those most in need.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And that's where we distribute our articles for free.

  • Blocked roads made it difficult to distribute supplies; food and water were scarce.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Brochures and applications were distributed to each of the schools participating in LA GEAR UP.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Practitioner guides from the MAP system were distributed to therapists during training sessions.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

to share
vsto distribute
1.0

To let other people use or have part of something

is focused on making something available to others rather than joint use
to publish
vsto distribute
3.3

Make a book or article available to the public

covers a wider range of goods and methods beyond published content
to release
vsto distribute
925 1.8

To make a product or information available to the public

also applies when making items available to a specific group rather than public only
to come out
vsto distribute
563 3.0

To become available to the public, for example when a book or album is released

focuses on actively making something available rather than simply becoming available
to put out
vsto distribute
255 3.6

Publish something like a book or magazine for people to buy

is broader, covering any way of making items available beyond formal issuing
to hand out
vsto distribute
165 1.8

To give something to people in a group

includes that action but also covers wider public or market availability
to give out
vsto distribute
143 2.3

To hand things to several people

is broader, applying also to making things available beyond simple handing to people
to pass out
vsto distribute
68 2.7

To give things to people in a group, like papers or drinks

can also mean releasing to the public or for sale, not just group giving
to disseminate
vsto distribute
48 6.8

To spread information or ideas widely so many people know them

is more about making items or products available, not only spreading ideas
to dole out
vsto distribute
34 4.0

To give small amounts of something to several people over time

is broader, not restricted to small portions or gradual distribution
to dispense
vsto distribute
19 3.7

To give medicine or other things to people at a pharmacy

covers broader making available, not only direct handing of physical items
to bring to market
vsto distribute
9 3.5

To make a new product ready for people to buy

is more general, including free or limited group availability as well as sales
to push out
vsto distribute
  • Jargon
8 3.5

To send updates or new content to users over the internet

is not limited to electronic or networked distribution and includes physical methods
to send around
vsto distribute
5 3.2

Give a copy of something to each person in a group, for example by email

covers that mode but also broader release methods beyond sending copies
to pass around
vsto distribute
4 2.0

Make information spread among many people

includes both wide sharing and formal making available to the public

Antonyms

361 3.1

Limit how much people can use or access something

210 5.1

Refuse to give something someone wants or needs

How Widely

to circulate
103 3.9
to distribute
232 2.7
to offer
1.0

Surface Forms

distribute infinitive
distributed past participle
distributing present participle
distributes third person singular

Morphology

distribute = tribute (semi-transparent) = dis + tribute

The morphology dis- + tribute corresponds to the sense 'make available/release', but the common meaning of 'tribute' as payment/praise may obscure the connection for learners.

Etymology

Distribute comes from the Latin parts dis- 'apart' and tribuere 'to give', the same root in contribute and tribute. So when a company distributes a product, it is 'giving out' or sending it to people for sale or use.