distributive

adjective

dis·​trib·​u·​tive di-ˈstri-byü-tiv  -byə- 

1

: of or relating to distribution: such as

a

: dealing a proper share to each of a group

b

: diffusing more or less evenly

2

of a word : referring singly and without exception to the members of a group

each, either, and none are distributive

3

a

: being an operation (such as multiplication in a(b + c) = ab + ac) that produces the same result when operating on the whole mathematical expression as when operating on each part and collecting the results

b

: being or relating to a rule or property concerning a distributive operation

the distributive property of multiplication with respect to addition

distributively adverb

distributivity

di-ˌstri-byü-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Examples of distributive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The strength of these relationships is moderated by existing perceptions of procedural and distributive justice. —Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

As a result, Verde Clean Fuels is subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its distributive share of OpCo's net taxable income. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025

In that case, distributive bargaining might make sense. —Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Negotiation experts typically differentiate between distributive and integrative bargaining tactics. —Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for distributive

• attributive
• retributive
• redistributive

Kids Definition

distributive

adjective

dis·​trib·​u·​tive dis-ˈtrib-yət-iv 

1

: of or relating to distribution : serving to distribute

2

: of, having, or being the property of giving the same mathematical result when an operation is carried out on a whole expression and when it is carried out on each part of an expression with the results then collected together

the distributive property of multiplication means a(b + c) = ab + ac

distributively adverb