How can public key encryption be used to distribute a secret key?

Public key encryption can be used to securely distribute a secret key by allowing two parties to exchange a symmetric key without revealing it to potential interceptors. One party generates a secret key and encrypts it using the recipient's public key, ensuring that only the recipient can decrypt it with their corresponding private key. This method ensures that even if the encrypted key is intercepted during transmission, it cannot be accessed without the private key, thus maintaining the confidentiality of the symmetric key used for subsequent communications.