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

Some Albertans argue that the province should retain more of its revenue rather than see funds redistributed elsewhere in the country. — Sheena Rossiter, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026

One obvious response is to tax the fortunes at the top and redistribute those funds. — Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

The 71-page bill proposes how and where to redistribute DHS's funds and responsibilities across other departments, including the creation of the Department of Community Safety. — Mikayla Price, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Walken had already starred in Ferrara’s King of New York (1990), playing a drug lord with ambitions to redistribute his fortune. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 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