distribution

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

|Updated on: 18 Aug 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(1) : a sum of money withdrawn from a fund (such as a retirement fund) and given to the beneficiary (see beneficiary 2b) or holder of the fund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

His distribution was productive and helped create some of FC Cincinnati’s few chances, and gave a man-of-the-match quality performance in net.

— Cincinnati.com, "Player ratings from FC Cincinnati's 0-0 draw at Nashville SC," 7 July 2018
The facility is a former distribution center for Winn-Dixie stores in Central Florida.

— kyle arnold, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Grocery distributor laying off 328 at Orlando warehouse," 3 July 2018
Some groups opposing NorthPoint’s 2,000 acre business park called for a moratorium on warehouses and distribution centers until the infrastructure could better handle the increasing volume of trucks.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "New I-80 Coalition seeks to speed up road improvements," 29 June 2018
Their distribution reinforced the perception that Divvy was more a two-wheeled toy for tourists than a serious public transportation option for locals.

— ryan smith, Chicago Reader, "Divvy at 5: Chicago’s bike share is better than ever," 18 June 2018
As a group, these diseases in the United States are notable for their wide geographical distribution and resistance to control.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Diseases spread by ticks, mosquitoes and fleas have more than tripled," 1 May 2018
As a group, these diseases in the United States are notable for their wide geographical distribution and resistance to control.

— washington post, latimes.com, "U.S. cases of disease spread by ticks, mosquitoes and fleas more than tripled in 13-year span," 1 May 2018
As a group, these diseases in the United States are notable for their wide geographical distribution and resistance to control.

— lena h. sun, courant.com, "Diseases Spread By Ticks, Mosquitoes And Fleas Have More Than Tripled In The US," 1 May 2018
NuStar isn’t the only MLP to cut its distribution in the last year.

— rye druzin, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio’s NuStar Energy income skyrockets on hurricane insurance money," 26 Apr. 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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