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

Ingram's response times were a week or longer, and in December, Ingram announced a severe reduction of its VMware business (VMware still works with other distributors, like Arrow). —Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025

The recall affects one lot of phenylephrine hydrochloride injection, 10mg/ml, sold to wholesalers, distributors, compounding companies and hospitals. —Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025

Three years earlier, A24 had boarded the film as a co-financier and distributor but quietly dropped out last August after Kahlil had still not delivered the final product, according to the legal letter. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025

Here’s why: There isn’t a single person involved in those five films – whether they be cast, crew, financiers or distributors, who doesn’t know who produced each film. —Cathy Schulman, Deadline, 25 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