distribution - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
distribution Word Meanings
- the way something is shared among a group
- the action of distributing something
- a statistical term describing how values are spread.
distribution Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
distribution Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/dɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/
US
/ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuʃən/
distribution Word Etymology
(dis- + tribuere) — from Latin. First appeared in Old French as 'distribution' and then in Middle English. Imagine a large pizza divided into equal slices; this represents how items or values are distributed among people or places.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
First I pick up a handful of coins and start moving them across the tray, pushing and pulling until they sit in neat piles. I feel the effort in my fingers and adjust my grip, keeping the rhythm steady as space opens and closes. Seeing the pieces settle, I sense who gets what, a quiet intuition of how things are distributed. Later, in a chart or on a page of numbers, that same feeling of spreading and clustering comes alive, guiding how values are shared.
Real Context
Distribution describes how something is shared or spread among a group. It can refer to the act of giving out items (the distribution of prizes), the way resources are allocated (the distribution of income across a population), or a pattern used in statistics to describe how values are spread or concentrated (a normal distribution). In everyday use, you might talk about the distribution of groceries, the distribution of tasks, or the distribution of seats in an organization. In mathematics, a distribution is a function that describes probability or frequency across possible values. The word comes from Latin dis- + tribuere, passing through Old French distribution.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: distribution is about spread or pattern, not just giving out; use 'distribute' for verbs; differentiate from division; common phrases: normal distribution, distribution channel, distribution list; avoid mixing up distribution with a single allocation.
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing distribution with division; distribution is about spread, not splitting into equal parts always.
- Thinking distribution always means money or wealth; it can describe data, resources, or objects.
- Mistaking distribution for average or variance; these are different statistical concepts.
- Using distribute and distribution interchangeably in every context; distribution can be a pattern, not a verb.
- Assuming a distribution is always symmetric; many real data sets are skewed.
Thinking Differences
Distribution has several senses in English: spread/pattern, the act of giving out, and a statistical function. Learners often mix up these senses with division or allocation as if distribution always means equal sharing.
Learning Tips
- Learn the main senses: spread/pattern, allocation, and a statistical distribution.
- Practice with phrases: normal distribution, distribution channel, distribution list.
- Distinguish noun vs verb: distribution vs distribute.
- Use real data examples to see how a distribution describes spread.
- Watch for context: science, economics, and everyday life use different senses.
- Check collocations: distribution of X, distribution across Y.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'distribution'?
A.The act of giving out or delivering something.
B.The act of cooking food.
C.A type of measurement.
D.A kind of music genre.
Step 2: Usage
Choose the correct sentence that uses 'distribution'.
A.The cake was baked to a perfect distribution.
B.The distribution of resources among the community was fair.
C.He felt a distribution of pain in his shoulder.
D.She enjoyed the distribution of classical music.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'distribution'?
A.Transportation
B.Allocation
C.Formation
D.Prevention
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'distribution'?
A.Formation
B.Addition
C.Retention
D.Reduction
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context involving the word 'distribution'?
A.The company decided to allocate funds to new projects.
B.Effective distribution of food can help reduce hunger.
C.They received their share of the profit from the sale.
D.She prepared a presentation on the latest technology.
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App