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

His advocates would say that expanding the men’s and women’s World Cups from 32 teams to 48 increases competition revenues, which can in turn be redistributed across the world to FIFA’s member associations. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Nobody's compensation depends on redistributing decision authority, and everyone's depends on the number. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Responsibilities that had once been divided among specialists were redistributed among a skeleton crew. — Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Streaming services are predicted to be one of the biggest beneficiaries, as businesses seek to redistribute their advertising budgets. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 30 July 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