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

But most observers recognize that those channels will be milked for cash, with wide cuts expected as the company seeks to harvest the revenue from carriage fees and redistribute to other priorities, like streaming, and paying down that pesky debt. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

That water releases massive heat, redistributing warmth from the ocean to the atmosphere. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026

Potentially lifesaving and cost-saving decisions to shorten courses, redistribute staff, streamline, or expand resources could come from quantified inputs, in conjunction with prior experience. — Vibhu Krishna, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

To properly support employees during these periods, leaders may need to reset priorities, redistribute workloads, streamline processes and create space for candid conversations about capacity. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 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