distribution Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (statistics) an arrangement of values of a variable showing their observed or theoretical frequency of occurrence
    statistical distribution.
  2. noun the spatial or geographic property of being scattered about over a range, area, or volume
    dispersion.
    • worldwide in distribution
    • the distribution of nerve fibers
    • in complementary distribution
  3. noun the act of distributing or spreading or apportioning
  4. noun the commercial activity of transporting and selling goods from a producer to a consumer

WordNet

Dis`tri*bu"tion noun
Etymology
L. distributio: cf. F. distribution.
Definitions
  1. The act of distributing or dispensing; the act of dividing or apportioning among several or many; apportionment; as, the distribution of an estate among heirs or children.
    The phenomena of geological distribution are exactly analogous to those of geography. A. R. Wallace.
  2. Separation into parts or classes; arrangement of anything into parts; disposition; classification.
  3. That which is distributed. "Our charitable distributions." Atterbury.
  4. (Logic) A resolving a whole into its parts.
  5. (Print.) The sorting of types and placing them in their proper boxes in the cases.
  6. (Steam Engine) The steps or operations by which steam is supplied to and withdrawn from the cylinder at each stroke of the piston; viz., admission, suppression or cutting off, release or exhaust, and compression of exhaust steam prior to the next admission. Syn. -- Apportionments; allotment; dispensation; disposal; dispersion; classification; arrangement.

Webster 1913