dɪsˈtɛmpə(ɹ) dɪsˈtɛmpə(ɹ) a method of painting in which the pigments are mixed with water and a binder; used for painting posters or murals or stage scenery paint with distemper a painting created with paint that is made by mixing the pigments with water and a binder paint made by mixing the pigments with water and a binder an angry and disagreeable mood any of various infectious viral diseases of animals