scattering

1 of 2

noun

scat·​ter·​ing ˈska-tə-riŋ How to pronounce scattering (audio)
1
: an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
2
: something scattered: such as
a
: a small number or quantity interspersed here and there
a scattering of visitors
b
: the random change in direction of the particles constituting a beam or wave front due to collision with particles of the medium traversed

scattering

2 of 2

adjective

1
: going in various directions
2
: found or placed far apart and in no order
3
: divided among many or several
scattering votes
scatteringly adverb

Examples of scattering in a Sentence

Noun the scattering of the protesters suddenly turned violent and chaotic a scattering of people in the mostly empty theater
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Reducing scattering reduces resistance in the wires and lets electrons move through the device more quickly. IEEE Spectrum, 21 Dec. 2023 There was a scattering of fromagerie stalls in the streets. Nadia Beard, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 Now in its eighth season, the show has mostly stayed with the same cast, with a scattering of replacements and additions, with Monique Samuels joining in season two, Candiace Dillard-Bassett who joined in season 3, Dr. Wendy Osefo in season 5, and Mia Thornton in season 6. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 Jan. 2024 Inches down in the dirt was a scattering of metal spheres and pendants. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023 In contrast, when these air channels are filled with water, the scattering of light is reduced. Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024 Captured by a camera across the street and beyond a parking lot, the video ends with one member of the group sprinting away and the rest scattering. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2023 This also works in air — add nanoparticles in the form of smoke and scattering makes the beam visible. F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2024 The stage is bare except for a scattering of personal bags that dancers bring to an audition, and that vital mirror. Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scattering.' 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

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near scattering

Cite this Entry

“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scattering. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scattering

1 of 2 noun
scat·​ter·​ing ˈskat-ə-riŋ How to pronounce scattering (audio)
1
: an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
2
: something scattered
especially : a small number or amount placed or found here and there
a scattering of visitors

scattering

2 of 2 adjective
1
: going in various directions
2
: found or placed far apart and in no pattern

Medical Definition

scattering

noun
scat·​ter·​ing
: the random change in direction of the particles constituting a beam or wave front due to collision with particles of the medium traversed

More from Merriam-Webster on scattering

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