distribution

dis·tri·bu·tion

noun \ˌdis-trə-ˈbyü-shən\

Definition of DISTRIBUTION

1

a : the act or process of distributing

b : the apportionment by a court of 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

b : the natural geographic range of an organism

3

a : something distributed: as (1) : a sum of money withdrawn from a fund (as a retirement fund) and given to the beneficiary or holder of the fund (2) : dividend 1a

b (1) : frequency distribution (2) : probability function (3) : probability density function 2

4

: the pattern of branching and termination of a ramifying structure (as a nerve)

5

: the marketing or merchandising of commodities

— dis·tri·bu·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

Examples of DISTRIBUTION

1. The group collects food and clothing for distribution to needy families.
2. The distribution of paychecks will happen every other Friday.
3. The university does not permit distribution of leaflets on campus.
4. She was responsible for product distribution.
5. The company handles the distribution of goods to stores nationwide.
6. He complained that the distribution of work was unfair.
7. He studies the distributions of wildcats in North America.
8. The new design provides better weight distribution.

First Known Use of DISTRIBUTION

14th century

Related to DISTRIBUTION

Synonyms

admeasurement, allocation, allotment, apportionment, disbursement, dispensation, division, issuance

Related Words

reallocation, reapportionment, redistribution, redivision, repartition; division, partition, separation

Near Antonyms

confusion, disorder, disorganization, disruption, upset; disconnection, disjointedness

Rhymes with DISTRIBUTION

absolution, allocution, attribution, comminution, consecution, constitution, contribution, convolution, destitution, dissolution, elocution, evolution, execution, exsolution, institution, involution, persecution, prosecution, prostitution, resolution, restitution, retribution, revolution, Rosicrucian, substitution

dis·tri·bu·tion

noun \ˌdis-trə-ˈbyü-shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DISTRIBUTION

: the pattern of branching and termination of a ramifying anatomical structure (as a nerve or artery)