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

The position of Sorrenti and Greenwood is that funding under an arrangement with distributor Parkland Pictures has not materialized. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025

Marubeni in Japan is a large import-export company and is a global distributor of Orca-ai’s products and services. —Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Hosts like Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert continue to generate headlines and digital memes and still build sizable live audiences that the networks — and their distributors and advertisers — covet. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Mar. 2025

By contrast, Dreams Inc. largely sells its toys online or through distributors like Kiddy Land, Kinokuniya, and Urban Outfitters. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 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