Words / B2

di-STRIB-yoot/dɪˈstrɪbjuːt/

To distribute is to give things out to several people, or to spread them across an area: distribute leaflets, distribute weight. Hand out is the everyday classroom verb; distribute is more official and also covers supply chains. Share can mean split one thing; distribute often means many copies. Distribution is the noun (uneven distribution of wealth).

Meaning

To give things out to a number of people, or to spread them.

Examples

• “Please distribute the worksheets.”
• “Volunteers distributed water at the finish line.”
• “The weight should be evenly distributed in the bag.”

Good to know

distribute to + people. Everyday: hand out. Noun: distribution.

Near in meaning

hand out

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