# distribute

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈstɹɪbjuːt/ · frequency rank #9,736

## Definitions
1. To divide into portions and dispense.
2. To supply to retail outlets.
3. To deliver or pass out.
4. To scatter or spread.
5. To apportion (more or less evenly).
6. To classify or separate into categories.
7. To be distributive.
8. To separate (type which has been used) and return it to the proper boxes in the cases.
9. To spread (ink) evenly, as upon a roller or a table.
10. To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as universal in one premise.
11. To have employees working remotely from multiple locations.

## Etymology
PIE word
 *tréyes
From Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere (“to divide, distribute”), from dis- (“apart”) + tribuere (“to give, impart”); see tribute.

## Easily confused with
- **distributed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/distribute-vs-distributed)
- **distributor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/distribute-vs-distributor)
- **distributive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/distribute-vs-distributive)

## Common misspellings (15)
`ddistribute`, `disrtibute`, `disstribute`, `distirbute`, `distrbiute`, `distribbute`, `distribtue`, `distribuet`, `distributte`, `distriubte`, `distrribute`, `disttribute`, `ditsribute`, `dsitribute`, `idstribute`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/distribute