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

Searchlight dropped the project following Majors’ legal troubles; the Sundance darling was later picked up by Oscar-winning distributor Tom Ortenberg via his Briarcliff Entertainment. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2025

When the film first came out, much was made of the fact it was released unrated rather than accept the X rating it was given — a frequent PR strategy of distributor Miramax. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025

Hooper couldn’t find a distributor until Warren Skaaren, then head of the Texas Film Commission, pointed him in the direction of the Bryanston Distributing Company, which took global rights. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025

In 2022, Unilever sold its intellectual property rights to its Israeli distributor, which then put the products (with Hebrew and Arabic labeling only) back on shelves in the West Bank. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for distributor

• contributor

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