redistribute

verb

re·​dis·​trib·​ute ˌrē-də-ˈstri-ˌbyüt 

also -byət

redistributed; redistributing; redistributes

transitive verb

1

: to alter the distribution of : reallocate

2

: to spread to other areas

redistribution

(ˌ)rē-ˌdi-strə-ˈbyü-shən 

noun

redistributional

(ˌ)rē-ˌdi-strə-ˈbyü-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

redistributive

ˌrē-də-ˈstri-byü-tiv 

-byə-

adjective

Examples of redistribute in a Sentence

Unused federal funds will be redistributed to other states.

The government redistributed the land to the settlers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. —Ella McCarthy, Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026

Leave some leaves and stems in garden beds or redistribute them to create habitats and natural mulch. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026

Once the film releases on the platform, profits generated via its pay-per-view system are redistributed among investors. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026

Recapture is the state school finance system that pulls money back from school districts with high property values — like Austin — and redistributes the funds to other Texas school districts that can’t raise enough revenue locally to educate their students. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for redistribute

• contribute
• distribute
• tribute

Kids Definition

redistribute

verb

re·​dis·​trib·​ute ˌrē-də-ˈstrib-yət 

1

: to change the distribution of

2

: to spread to other areas

redistribution

-ˌdis-trə-ˈbyü-shən 

noun