distributor

noun

dis·​trib·​u·​tor di-ˈstri-byü-tər 

-byə-

1

: one that distributes

2

: one that markets a commodity

especially : wholesaler

3

: an apparatus for directing the secondary current from the induction coil to the various spark plugs of an engine in their proper firing order

Examples of distributor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Total bundled pay-TV subscribers (minus the virtual multi-video distributors, such as DirecTV Stream) is now 48.18 million. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Di Marco and Schottenstein are selecting top-tier distributors around the world, bowing at Antonioli, D’Aniello, Dell’Oglio, Nugnes, Biffi, Morini, and Leam in Italy. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 15 Jan. 2025

Gravitas Ventures is a leading all rights distributor of independent films. —Matt Minton, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025

View Comments Schwartz said the grocery chain buys from six egg distributors, which allows for multiple channels to get its eggs. —Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

distributor

noun

dis·​trib·​u·​tor dis-ˈtrib-yət-ər 

1

: one that distributes

2

: an agent or agency for marketing goods

3

: a device that sends electric current to the spark plugs of an engine so that they fire in the proper order