Word
distributor
Phoneticsdis·trib·u·tor, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈstɹɪbjətɝ/
UK/dɪstɹˈɪbjuːtɐ/
Definitions
01business agent
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person or company that buys products from a factory and sells them to shops or businesses.
n. an agent or business entity that supplies goods to retailers or other customers within a specific territory.
“The company is looking for a new distributor to sell its drinks in Europe.”
“The manufacturer terminated the contract after the distributor failed to meet the minimum sales targets for three consecutive quarters.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02engine part
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical
n. a part in a car engine that sends electricity to each spark plug at the right time.
n. a device in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine that directs high-voltage current to the spark plugs in the correct firing order.
“The car wouldn't start because the distributor cap was cracked and wet.”
“Modern vehicles have largely replaced the mechanical distributor with electronic ignition systems controlled by the engine management unit.”
03printing machine
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Archaic · Technical
n. an old machine used to put metal letters or ink back in the right place.
n. a historical apparatus used in the printing industry for distributing type or spreading ink evenly across rollers.
“The museum has an old distributor that printers used over a century ago.”
“The apprentice spent hours cleaning the ink distributor to ensure the next print run would have a perfectly even finish.”
Real-World Examples
“These aren’t coming from theater companies, either; Hadestown was a hit for the indie distributor Bleecker Street, while SIX is being put out by Focus/Universal.” “But Covid had upset the industry and timid distributors refused to touch it, despite rave reviews from luminaries including John Waters.” Etymology
From distribute + -or.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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