distributive

1 of 2

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

distributivity

2 of 2

noun

dis·​trib·​u·​tiv·​i·​ty də̇ˌstribyəˈtivətē 

plural -es

: the quality of being mathematically or logically distributive

Examples of distributive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Beyond animal ethics, xenotransplantation raises questions of distributive and clinical justice. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 20 June 2026

In the Gulf monarchies, ruling families oversee and direct this distributive system, reinforcing their position at the core of political and economic life. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026

Uruk had a distributive economy, where these agricultural products were funnelled through the temple to its workers and a wider population. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025

As such, the limited partners’ distributive share did not qualify for the SECA exclusion. — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for distributive

• retributive
• redistributive

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