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

Australian theatrical distributor Forum will handle ANZ territory releases. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025

Apple is now the only distributor of the movies. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025

Riding a buzzy screening at SXSW in March, Deepfaking Sam Altman will now get an imminent release from Abramorama, the boutique theatrical distributor that has worked on acclaimed docs like The Last Class, Senna, Anvil! —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 20 Nov. 2025

For Kelsey Ramage, bad industry habits, like buying bulk from global distributors instead of local farms, keep her up at night. —Annemarie Dooling, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Nov. 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