distribute

v.

1. To allot

   dispense, divide, share, deal, dole, bestow, issue, endow, dispose, disperse, circulate, mete out, pass out, parcel out, dole out, hand out, pay out, disburse, administer, give away, assign, allocate, ration, measure out, apportion, consign, prorate, appropriate, dish out*, divvy up*, cut the pie*; see also give 1.

   Antonyms hold*, keep*, preserve. *

2. To scatter

   spread, sow, disseminate, diffuse; see scatter 1, 2.

3. To classify

   categorize, group, file; see classify, order 3.

distribute implies a dealing out of portions or a spreading about of units among a number of recipients to distribute leaflets; dispense suggests the careful measuring out of that which is distributed to dispense drugs; divide suggests separation of a whole into parts to be shared an inheritance divided among five children; dole implies a measured distribution of money, food, favor, etc. in a charitable or in a sparing or niggardly manner