# distributor

/dɪˈstɹɪbjətɝ/ (US) · /dɪstɹˈɪbjuːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/distributor
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. business agent

noun · CEFR B2

a person or company that buys products from a factory and sells them to shops or businesses.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. engine part

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a part in a car engine that sends electricity to each spark plug at the right time.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. printing machine

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

an old machine used to put metal letters or ink back in the right place.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The film distributor released the movie in over fifty countries.
- After the factory finishes production, the local distributor handles the delivery of the cars to various dealerships across the state.
- Securing a reliable international distributor is often the most significant hurdle for small manufacturers looking to scale their operations beyond domestic borders.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.