dispersion

noun

dis·​per·​sion di-ˈspər-zhən How to pronounce dispersion (audio)
-shən
1
capitalized Judaism : diaspora sense 1b
2
: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed
crowd dispersion
3
mathematics : the scattering of the values of a frequency distribution from an average
4
physics : the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum
also : the separation of radiation (see radiation sense 2) into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (such as energy)
5
chemistry
a
: a dispersed (see disperse sense 2c) substance
b
: a system (see system sense 1a(2)) consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b

Examples of dispersion in a Sentence

the dispersion of energy from a source
Recent Examples on the Web The geographic dispersion meant that the Cherngs needed to control their stores from a distance. Dileep Rao, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 The unique challenges posed by the rainforest — immense size, wide dispersion of villages, few roads — had exacerbated the church’s shortage of priests. Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 17 Feb. 2024 End of carousel The unique challenges posed by the rainforest — immense size, wide dispersion of villages, few roads — had exacerbated the church’s shortage of priests. Bishop Sand, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2024 This powerful analysis tool can track club distances, shot dispersion, strokes gained, fairways hit or missed, greens in regulation, scoring analysis, course strategy, and putting. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2023 This dispersion has often led to isolated efforts rather than united action. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024 The threat of artillery further drives dispersion, so that companies are often spread over nearly two miles of front. Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2024 There's also a large dispersion of views around how aggressively the Fed will cut this year. Nick Timiraos, WSJ, 3 Jan. 2024 Most armies can manage dispersion, cover, and concealment at the small-unit level, if only by digging in. Stephen Biddle, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dispersion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see disperse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispersion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dispersion

Cite this Entry

“Dispersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersion. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dispersion

noun
dis·​per·​sion dis-ˈpər-zhən How to pronounce dispersion (audio)
1
: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed
2
: the separation of light (as by a prism) into a series of colors
dispersive
-ˈpər-siv
-ziv
adjective

Medical Definition

dispersion

noun
dis·​per·​sion dis-ˈpər-zhən, -shən How to pronounce dispersion (audio)
1
: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed
2
: the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum
also : the separation of radiation into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (as energy)
3
a
: a dispersed substance
b
: a system consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b

called also disperse system

More from Merriam-Webster on dispersion

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