disposal

noun

dis·​pos·​al di-ˈspō-zəl How to pronounce disposal (audio)
1
: the power or authority to make use of as one chooses : the power or authority to dispose of something
The car was at my disposal.
2
: the act or process of disposing: such as
a
: orderly placement or distribution
the disposal of troops along the ridge
c
: the act or action of presenting or bestowing (see bestow sense 4) something
disposal of favors
the disposal of property
d
: systematic destruction
especially : destruction or transformation of garbage
trash disposal
the disposal of nuclear waste
3
[garbage disposal unit] : a device used to reduce waste matter (as by grinding)
putting food scraps down the disposal

Examples of disposal in a Sentence

the disposal of nuclear waste trash disposal is on Wednesday in our neighborhood
Recent Examples on the Web Singapore famously banned the sale, import and manufacturing of chewing gum in 1992, blaming the careless disposal of the substance on subways for gumming up service. Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Indeed, thanks to open banking, finance functions have new technological levers at their disposal, revolutionizing the financial landscape. Dimitri Raziev, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Within days, nearly every clinic in the state either suspended IVF or halted embryo disposal. Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 The town manager said the issue stemmed from a sludge disposal company, Merrell Brothers, which has a 50-year contract with Speedway. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Feb. 2024 Deterrence may be the only tool at their disposal, however. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office’s explosive ordnance disposal team was called and remove all explosives from the home. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024 Think critically, use online AI detection tools Social media users have a few tactics at their disposal to protect themselves. Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2024 Free services on car maintenance are also available at your disposal, including flat tire repair, battery testing, and wiper blade installation. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disposal was in 1630

Dictionary Entries Near disposal

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

disposal

noun
dis·​pos·​al dis-ˈpō-zəl How to pronounce disposal (audio)
1
: the right or power to use or control something : command
funds at our disposal
2
: an orderly arrangement
the disposal of troops for battle
3
: a getting rid of or putting out of the way
trash disposal
4
5
: the transfer of something to a new owner
a disposal of property

More from Merriam-Webster on disposal

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