distributions
|dis-tri-bu-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌdɪstrəˈbjuːʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃ(ə)n/
(distribution)
sharing out
Etymology
'distribution' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'distributio', where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'tribuere' meant 'to give'.
'distribution' changed from Latin 'distributio' into Old French 'distribution' and Middle English 'distribucion', eventually becoming the modern English word 'distribution'.
Initially, it meant 'the action of dividing and giving out', but over time it evolved to include the current meanings of 'the act of giving out', 'the amounts given', and 'the way things or values are spread'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the action or process of giving out or delivering something to people or places.
The charity's distributions of food reached hundreds of families after the storm.
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Noun 2
quantities or portions of something that are given out.
Year-end bonus distributions were larger than expected this year.
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Noun 3
statistical patterns that show how values are spread or occur across categories or ranges (e.g., normal distribution, uniform distribution).
Researchers compared the distributions of test scores between the two schools.
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Noun 4
payments or proceeds distributed to owners, investors, or shareholders (e.g., dividends, trust disbursements).
The fund announced quarterly distributions to investors starting next month.
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Last updated: 2025/12/24 19:50