How to pronounce distribution
Say it like dis-truh-BYOO-shun. Distribution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce distribution. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dis
- truh
- BYOO
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distribution pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- disGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of distribution
American and British speakers say distribution in essentially the same way: /ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən/ in the US and /ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dis-trih-BYOO-shun.
What does distribution mean?
- (statistics) an arrangement of values of a variable showing their observed or theoretical frequency of occurrence
- the spatial or geographic property of being scattered about over a range, area, or volume“worldwide in distribution”“the distribution of nerve fibers”
- the act of distributing or spreading or apportioning
Where does distribution come from?
From Old French distribution, from Latin distributio, from distribuere 'to distribute', itself from dis- 'apart' + tribuere 'to' (from tribus).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with distribution
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of distribution.
- solution
- resolution
- constitution
- revolution
- evolution
- institution
- contribution
- execution
- pollution
- prosecution
Questions about saying distribution
How do you pronounce distribution?
Say dis-truh-BYOO-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən/. In British English it is /ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distribution?
Distribution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BYOO). Broken into parts: dis · truh · BYOO · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say distribution the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən/ and the British form is /ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.