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

However, filmmakers, producers, distributors, sales agents, publicists, critics, sponsors, and former Sundance staff — many of whom credit the festival with launching or sustaining their careers — spoke on background or off the record. —Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026

For professional artists, labels, distributors, and rightsholders, a small, one-time upload fee may be a reasonable trade-off if there is transparency and accountability in how funds are used. —Shain Shapiro, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

That said, the pic’s South African distributor, Filmfinity’s head of sales and marketing, Thobashan Govindarajulu didn’t provide reasons for the movie’s last-minute pull. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026

Founded in 1976, Ticketmaster has been the industry’s largest ticket distributor since 1995, with around 80% of live concerts sold through the site. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026

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