dispersal

noun

dis·​pers·​al di-ˈspər-səl How to pronounce dispersal (audio)
Synonyms of dispersalnext
: the act or result of dispersing
especially : the process or result of the spreading of organisms from one place to another

Examples of dispersal in a Sentence

the dispersal of plant seeds in the forests through natural means
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Starting on Tuesday, June 9, aerial dispersal flights originating from the sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, will begin. Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 8 June 2026 That includes breaking ground on a new facility to produce sterile flies and opening a new dispersal facility earlier this year. Garrett Downs, CNBC, 8 June 2026 Over the next four decades, factories and dispersal sites were built in Florida, Texas and Central America that produced and released hundreds of millions of sterile flies each week. Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 June 2026 Humidity promotes its growth, while dry days facilitate spore dispersal. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispersal

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispersal was in 1821

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dispersal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersal. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

dispersal

noun
dis·​pers·​al dis-ˈpər-səl How to pronounce dispersal (audio)
: the act or result of dispersing

Medical Definition

dispersal

noun
dis·​pers·​al dis-ˈpər-səl How to pronounce dispersal (audio)
: the act or result of dispersing
specifically : the process or result of the spreading of organisms from one place to another

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