Distribution

Definition

Distribution is a noun that refers to the action or process of supplying goods, resources, or information to different locations, individuals, or groups. It can also refer to the way something is spread or arranged within a particular area or over a certain period.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌdɪstrəˈbjuːʃən/
• Respelling: dis-truh-BYOO-shuhn

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/
• Respelling: dis-trih-BYOO-shuhn

Etymology

The word "distribution" originates from the Latin "distributio," meaning "a division or allocation," derived from "distribuere" (to divide or allocate). It entered English in the late 14th century, primarily in the context of dividing resources or spreading information.

Derivatives

• Distribute (verb)
• Distributor (noun)
• Redistribution (noun)
• Distributive (adjective)
• Distributed (adjective)

Synonyms

• Allocation
• Dispersion
• Delivery

Antonyms

• Collection
• Accumulation
• Concentration

Usage

The noun "distribution" is used across various fields such as business, science, and technology. It can describe the process of delivering goods, the spread of a population, or the arrangement of resources. For example, "The distribution of vaccines was prioritized based on need."

Related Terms

• Circulation: The movement or spreading of something over an area.
• Logistics: The management of the flow and distribution of goods.
• Allocation: The process of distributing resources or duties for a specific purpose.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The action or process of supplying goods or resources to multiple recipients or locations: Refers to delivering products, services, or information across various places.
  • Example: "The company handles the distribution of products to retail stores."
• The way in which something is spread over an area or among a group: Describes the spatial arrangement or frequency of something within a defined space or time.
  • Example: "The distribution of rainfall varies across the region."
• A mathematical function describing probabilities or frequencies: In statistics, it refers to a function that shows the possible values of a variable and how often they occur.
  • Example: "A normal distribution is often used to represent data in statistics."