distributor

noun

dis·​trib·​u·​tor di-ˈstri-byü-tər 

-byə-

1

: one that distributes

2

: one that markets a commodity

especially : wholesaler

3

: an apparatus for directing the secondary current from the induction coil to the various spark plugs of an engine in their proper firing order

Examples of distributor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sycamore has 24 distributor partners and sells beer to major retailers in seven states. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 12 Dec. 2025

The state had won the money in 2022 by suing drug makers and distributors. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025

Messi debuted his namesake fragrance at Cosmoprof North America in January 2024, with licensee Game On Product Group as its global distributor. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 12 Dec. 2025

The rub is, there’s very little precedent for an Episodic project to find a distributor on the sales market at Sundance. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for distributor

• contributor

Kids Definition

distributor

noun

dis·​trib·​u·​tor dis-ˈtrib-yət-ər 

1

: one that distributes

2

: an agent or agency for marketing goods

3

: a device that sends electric current to the spark plugs of an engine so that they fire in the proper order