distributed

adjective

dis·​trib·​ut·​ed di-ˈstri-byü-təd 

also -byə-

British also ˈdi-stri-ˌbyü-

1

: characterized by a statistical distribution of a particular kind

a normally distributed random variable

2

computing : having at least some of the processing done by the individual workstations and having information shared by and often stored at the workstations

a distributed network

… makes it possible to take massive tasks and spread them out over a large number of personal computers—a practice called distributed computing.

—J. Bonasia

Examples of distributed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mobile offshore launch systems potentially offer a more distributed and difficult-to-target alternative. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026

In effect, Los Angeles itself becomes a distributed Olympic park. —New Atlas, 9 June 2026

Raising children isn’t a closed system contained within a single household, but something more distributed and shared. —Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026

Leaders like former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have modeled this by harmonizing empathy with clarity, demonstrating that sensitivity and distributed leadership can mobilize collective action more effectively than heroic command. —Lourdes Mestre, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing distributed

• distributed denial of service
• evenly distributed
• widely distributed

Rhymes for distributed

• attributed
• unattributed