Distribution system spreads American article around capital of Zambia (4,5)
I believe the answer is:
lazy susan
'distribution system' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'spreads american article around capital of zambia' is the wordplay.
'spreads' becomes 'lays' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'american' becomes 'US' (abbreviation for United States).
'article' becomes 'an' (indefinite article).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'capital of' says to take the initial letters.
The first letter of 'zambia' is 'z'.
'lays'+'us'+'an'='laysusan'
'laysusan' enclosing 'z' is 'LAZY SUSAN'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lazy susan that I've seen before include "Revolving table stand" , "Revolving tray on which are condiments etc" , "circulates items for consumers" , "here pepper-and-salt might put in an appearance" , "Revolving tray on a dining table" .)