dispose of

phrase

1

a(1)

: to get rid of

how to dispose of toxic waste

(2)

: to deal with conclusively

disposed of the matter efficiently

b

: to transfer to the control of another

disposing of personal property to a total stranger

2

: to place, distribute, or arrange especially in an orderly way

disposing of the weapons in the new fort

Examples of dispose of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Investigators believe Horsch used a process known as alkaline hydrolysis to dispose of bodies, law enforcement sources said. — Joe Holden, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

For Rush, a republic that put citizens to death still acted like a monarchy, treating citizens’ lives as its own to dispose of. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Between March 31 and April 1, 2024, Foy killed and dismembered Dale and was in the process of disposing of her body when law enforcement intervened, according to the district attorney's office. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Replacing it with blade pieces offers a separate route for reusing material that would otherwise be difficult to dispose of. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Rhymes for dispose of

• hereinabove
• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove

Legal Definition

dispose of

transitive verb

dis·​pose of

disposed of; disposing of

1

: to transfer to the control or ownership of another

disposed of the property by will

2

: to deal with conclusively : determine finally

received petitions for injunctions…The common theme in disposing of these

—W. J. Brennan, Jr.