Dis′tri-bū′tion, n.

n. [Lat. distributio, from distribuere; Fr. distribution, Pr. distribucio, Sp. distribucion, It. distribuzione.]

1. The act of distributing or dispensing; the act of dividing or apportioning among several; apportionment; as, the distribution of an estate among heirs or children.
2. The act of giving in charity; almsgiving. “Your liberal distribution.” 2 Cor. ix. 13.
3. Separation into parts or classes; arrangement of topics in a discourse; disposition; classification. “The regular distribution of power into distinct departments.” Hamilton.
4. (Arch.) The dividing and disposing of the several parts of the building, according to some plan, or to the rules of the art.
5. (Print.) The separating of the types, and placing each letter in its proper cell in the cases.
6. (Rhet.) A division and enumeration of the several qualities of a subject.
7. (Steam-engines.) The steps or operations by which steam is supplied to and withdrawn from the cylinder at each stroke of the piston; viz., admission, suppression or cutting off, release or exhaust, and compression of exhaust steam prior to the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.

Geographical distribution, the distribution of species of animals and plants over the earth’s surface. Syn.—Apportionment; allotment; dispensation; disposal.