redistribute: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal/neutral
Quick answer
What does “redistribute” mean?
to give something out again in a different way, often to achieve greater fairness or efficiency.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to give something out again in a different way, often to achieve greater fairness or efficiency
to reallocate resources, wealth, power, or opportunities among different people or groups; to spread something more evenly or according to a new principle
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Slight preference in UK for 'redistribution' in political discourse about taxation.
Connotations
In both varieties, can carry political connotations (especially 'wealth redistribution'), but is neutral in technical/organizational contexts.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties; slightly more common in American English in corporate/organizational contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “redistribute” in a Sentence
redistribute sthredistribute sth among/to sbredistribute sth from sb/sth to sb/sthVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “redistribute” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council plans to redistribute council housing more fairly.
- We should redistribute the workload among the team.
American English
- The bill aims to redistribute tax revenue to poorer states.
- Management redistributed the staff to different departments.
adverb
British English
- The funds were redistributively allocated.
- (rare usage)
American English
- Resources were distributed redistributively.
- (rare usage)
adjective
British English
- The redistributive effects of the policy were analysed.
- A redistributive mechanism was put in place.
American English
- The plan has significant redistributive consequences.
- They proposed a redistributive tax reform.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company will redistribute marketing budgets to focus on digital channels.
Academic
The study examines how tax policies redistribute wealth across socioeconomic groups.
Everyday
We need to redistribute the chores so everyone does their fair share.
Technical
The algorithm redistributes network traffic to prevent server overload.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “redistribute”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “redistribute”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “redistribute”
- Using without object (*The government wants to redistribute*)
- Confusing with 'redistrict' (US political boundaries)
- Misspelling as 're-distribute' (hyphen usually unnecessary)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while commonly used for economic resources, it can apply to any distributable items: tasks, power, population, data, etc.
'Redistribute' often implies changing distribution patterns among people/groups for fairness; 'reallocate' is more neutral/administrative, focusing on efficiency.
Neutral technically, but often perceived positively in social justice contexts and negatively in anti-government/intervention discourses.
Rarely. It's typically transitive (redistribute something). Intransitive use is awkward/uncommon.
to give something out again in a different way, often to achieve greater fairness or efficiency.
Redistribute is usually formal/neutral in register.
Redistribute: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːdɪˈstrɪbjuːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːdɪˈstrɪbjuːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “redistribute the deckchairs on the Titanic (criticising trivial changes during crisis)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-DISTRIBUTE: 'RE' means again + 'DISTRIBUTE' means to give out → to give out again differently.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A BODY (redistributing nutrients/wealth); RESOURCES ARE FLUIDS (redirecting flow); FAIRNESS IS BALANCE (rebalancing scales)
Practice
Quiz
Which context BEST illustrates the typical use of 'redistribute'?