distributor

noun

dis·​trib·​u·​tor di-ˈstri-byü-tər 

-byə-

1

: one that distributes

2

: one that markets a commodity

especially : wholesaler

3

: an apparatus for directing the secondary current from the induction coil to the various spark plugs of an engine in their proper firing order

Examples of distributor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica said that restoring power to the country and neighboring Portugal could take six to 10 hours. —Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025

The Paris Theater opened in 1948, built by French distributor Pathé as a showcase for its films. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025

Andrew Karpen, the founder and CEO of indie distributor Bleecker Street, the former co-CEO of Focus Features, and an all-around icon as an indie film executive, has died. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2025

Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica declined to speculate on the cause and said restoring power fully could take six to 10 hours. —Renata Brito and Barry Hatton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for distributor

• contributor

Kids Definition

distributor

noun

dis·​trib·​u·​tor dis-ˈtrib-yət-ər 

1

: one that distributes

2

: an agent or agency for marketing goods

3

: a device that sends electric current to the spark plugs of an engine so that they fire in the proper order