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redistribution

ree-dis-trih-BYOO-shun /ˌriːdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/

nounC1GREGMATIELTS

formalpoliticaleconomic

The distribution of something in a different way, typically to achieve greater social equality.

In food science, this specifically refers to moving surplus food from retailers to charities or people in need.

The story behind the word. Combines 're-' (again) with 'distribution.' The root 'tribute' comes from the Latin 'tribus' (tribe), referring to the practice of assigning or paying shares to different tribes.

Word relationships

reallocation: Reallocation is a general term for moving resources; redistribution often has a social justice or equity connotation.

hoarding: The practice of collecting and keeping large amounts of something, often secretly.
concentration: The gathering of resources into one place or among a few people.

Commonly confused with

distribution: Distribution is the first time something is handed out; redistribution is doing it again to fix an imbalance.

Word family

redistribute (verb): To distribute again or differently.

Collocations

wealth redistribution
food redistribution
resource redistribution

Example sentences

"The redistribution of unsold bread to local shelters helps combat hunger and waste simultaneously." Solving food waste.
"The principles of justice are to be applied to the basic structure of society and govern the assignment of rights and duties and the redistribution of social and economic advantages." Political philosophy. (John Rawls, A Theory of Justice)

Memory hook

RE-DISTRIBUTE: To DISTRIBUTE it AGAIN (RE) to someone else. Redistribution: Give it out again, better.

When not to use

Don't use it for just sharing a snack; it usually implies a formal or large-scale system.

Fun facts

France was the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food, forcing its redistribution to charities.