distributive

adjective

dis·​trib·​u·​tive di-ˈstri-byü-tiv  -byə- 

1

: of or relating to distribution: such as

a

: dealing a proper share to each of a group

b

: diffusing more or less evenly

2

of a word : referring singly and without exception to the members of a group

each, either, and none are distributive

3

a

: being an operation (such as multiplication in a(b + c) = ab + ac) that produces the same result when operating on the whole mathematical expression as when operating on each part and collecting the results

b

: being or relating to a rule or property concerning a distributive operation

the distributive property of multiplication with respect to addition

distributively adverb

distributivity

di-ˌstri-byü-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Examples of distributive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a form of shock, also known as distributive shock, which is characterized by excessive vasodilation (widening of blood vessels). —James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2024

The government failed at distributive justice, not at cultural recognition. —Jan-Werner Müller, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2019

Affordability is at once a significant challenge for employers and a major component of distributive justice. —Ari Hoffman, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

Demands from the developing world for a New International Economic Order that would give a better deal to primary producers and low-income countries were expressed in the oil shock of 1973, which led to hopes of distributive justice. —Martin Daunton, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

distributive

adjective

dis·​trib·​u·​tive dis-ˈtrib-yət-iv 

1

: of or relating to distribution : serving to distribute

2

: of, having, or being the property of giving the same mathematical result when an operation is carried out on a whole expression and when it is carried out on each part of an expression with the results then collected together

the distributive property of multiplication means a(b + c) = ab + ac

distributively adverb