distribution

noun dis·tri·bu·tion \ ˌdis-trə-ˈbyü-shən \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: distribution in a Sentence

Definition of distribution

1 a : the act or process of distributing

the distribution of leaflets

profit distribution

the distribution of weight

b law : the act or process of apportioning by a court 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

the distribution of the country's population

b biology : the natural geographic range of an organism

3 a : something distributed

charitable distributions

: such as

(1) : a sum of money withdrawn from a fund (such as a retirement fund) and given to the beneficiary (see beneficiary 2b) or holder of the fund

(2) : dividend 1a

b mathematics

(1) : frequency distribution

(2) : probability function

(3) : probability density function 2

4 anatomy : the pattern of branching and termination (see termination 4) of a ramifying structure (such as a nerve)

5 business : the marketing or merchandising of commodities

keeping track of distribution costs

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distributional

play \-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See distribution defined for English-language learners

See distribution defined for kids

Examples of distribution in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of distribution from the Web

Though best known for the bike distributions, the nonprofit connects the families of active-duty service members to event tickets.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "About 100 bikes getting homes with children of active-duty service men, women," 6 June 2018
Bexar County commissioners directed staff Tuesday to negotiate a tax abatement for H-E-B that could give the San Antonio retailer a break worth about $3.8 million on its planned distribution, manufacturing and food processing center.

— jasper scherer, San Antonio Express-News, "Bexar commissioners OK next steps on H-E-B incentives, tax exemption for seniors," 5 June 2018
Tim Connolly, Hulu’s SVP of partnerships and distribution, and Ben Smith, SVP of experience, will also depart the company.

— andrew nusca, Fortune, "Hulu Exec Joel Stillerman Departs in Management Shakeup," 1 June 2018
But in the past few years, thanks to faster computers and better algorithms, the simulations have begun to produce results that accurately capture both the details of individual galaxies and their overall distribution of masses and shapes.

— katie langin, Science | AAAS, "Top stories: simulating galaxies, Great Barrier die-offs, and combating sexual harassment," 1 June 2018
But once beer leaves a brewery for distribution, time and temperature are out of its maker's control.

— robert allen, Detroit Free Press, "Purple beer helps this Ann Arbor brewery draw national attention," 31 May 2018
These groups have different income distributions, demographic components, and policy perspectives.

— seth masket, Vox, "What Democratic candidates’ priorities say about the party’s direction," 30 May 2018
Owner Paul Koretke worked in newspaper distribution, handling paper boys and delivery drivers but had never worked in a restaurant.

— shonda talerico dudlicek, Aurora Beacon-News, "Pockets offers a fresh take on sandwiches," 29 May 2018
Still, as craft beer has matured and the industry has become even more competitive, Revolution has reined in its ambitions and won’t be expanding beyond its distribution in eight states anytime soon, Deth said.

— greg trotter, chicagotribune.com, "After chilly spring, beer industry hopes Memorial Day weekend will kick-start sales," 24 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'distribution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of distribution

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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distribution Synonyms

DISTRIBUTION Defined for English Language Learners

distribution

noun

Definition of distribution for English Language Learners

: the act of giving or delivering something to people
: the act of delivering something to a store or business
: the way that something is divided or spread out

DISTRIBUTION Defined for Kids

distribution

noun dis·tri·bu·tion \ ˌdi-strə-ˈbyü-shən \

Definition of distribution for Students

1 : the act of giving out or delivering to

2 : the way things are divided or spread out

She studies the distribution of wildcats in the area.

3 : something given out or delivered to or divided among

Medical Dictionary

distribution

noun dis·tri·bu·tion \ ˌdis-trə-ˈbyü-shən \

medical Definition of distribution

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

Law Dictionary

distribution

noun dis·tri·bu·tion \ ˌdis-trə-ˈbyü-shən \

legal Definition of distribution

1 : the act or process of distributing: as

a : the apportionment by a court of the property and especially personal property of an intestate among those entitled to it according to statute — compare descent, devise

Note: The laws dealing with intestate succession are often called laws of descent and distribution.

b : the payment or transfer to a beneficiary of interest to which he or she is entitled under a trust

c : the transfer by a corporation or mutual fund of money or property to a shareholder in his or her capacity as a shareholder

d : the initial offering to the public of a security by a corporation

e : the delivery of a controlled substance

2 : something distributed

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