disposal

noun

dis·​pos·​al di-ˈspō-zəl 

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

b

: regulation, administration

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

Synonyms of disposal

• removal
• dumping

Examples of disposal in a Sentence

the disposal of nuclear waste

trash disposal is on Wednesday in our neighborhood

Recent Examples on the Web

While Klopp may not have a squad as talented as previous iterations at his disposal, there are reasons to be optimistic. — Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

With a full kitchen at his disposal, chef Cani whipped up seared mahi for adults, penne pasta for the kids, alongside an incredible beet hummus and plenty of fresh-cut veggies, all laid out on our kitchen island. — Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026

Today, this level of product knowledge is an outlier, but eventually with regulations like Digital Product Passports, recyclers and other participants in circular systems will have more information at their disposal. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

The bill focuses on protecting art during the federal building disposal process, which is overseen by the General Services Administration (GSA). — News Desk, Artforum, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disposal

• at someone's disposal
• garbage disposal
• waste disposal unit

Rhymes for disposal

• petrosal
• proposal
• serosal
• counterproposal

Kids Definition

disposal

noun

dis·​pos·​al dis-ˈpō-zəl 

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

: management sense 1, administration

5

: the transfer of something to a new owner

a disposal of property