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Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. —Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026

In theory, capping the rate at 10 percent would save consumers tens of billions of dollars while redistributing wealth from big banks and their shareholders to the low-income consumers who typically carry credit-card debt. —Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Feb. 2026

The system works with the active all wheel drive system to monitor wheel slip in milliseconds, redistributing power to the wheels with the most grip instantly. —Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 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