dispersion

noun

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dis·per·sion | \ di-ˈspər-zhən

, -shən \

Definition of dispersion

1 capitalized, Judaism : diaspora sense 1b

2 : the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed crowd dispersion

3 mathematics : the scattering of the values of a frequency distribution from an average

4 physics : the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum also : the separation of radiation (see radiation sense 2) into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (such as energy)

5 chemistry

a : a dispersed (see disperse sense 2c) substance

b : a system (see system sense 1a(2)) consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b

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Examples of dispersion in a Sentence

the dispersion of energy from a source

Recent Examples on the Web This trend could foretell a wider dispersion of the virus during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, when an estimated 400 million Chinese are expected to travel by bus, rail, and air to their hometowns. — Dennis Normile, Science | AAAS, "Arrival of SARS-like new virus in United States heightens concerns about global spread," 21 Jan. 2020 The company's HyperAir technology promises 15 percent faster heat dispersion than other wireless charging pads. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Guidemaster: The best Qi wireless charging pads for your smartphone," 15 Nov. 2019 Closely packed buildings stagnate air flow and inhibit the dispersion of particles. — Hillary Leung / Hong Kong, Time, "Tear Gas Is Now a Fact of Life in Hong Kong. Residents Are Wondering What It's Doing to Their Health," 6 Dec. 2019 And all this despite the fact that microbial dispersion in this area, due to the wind and to human visitors, is intense. — BostonGlobe.com, "In one of Earth’s hellish landscapes, not a single sign of life - The Boston Globe," 26 Nov. 2019 At this point, the doctors diagnosed him with a rare genetic condition called pigment dispersion syndrome. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Rare genetic condition gives man Eye of Sauron look," 15 Nov. 2019 Investors watch the dispersion between yields on short- and longer-term Treasurys, known as the yield curve, because shorter-term yields tend to exceed longer-term ones before recessions. — Daniel Kruger, WSJ, "As Recession Fears Rise, Skittish Investors Sell Riskiest Junk Bonds," 12 July 2019 Low-dispersion glass helps all the wavelengths of color come into focus at the same location, resulting in bright, clear images with great contrast and superb clarity. — James Lynch, Popular Mechanics, "8 Great Binoculars for Getting a Closer Look," 18 Oct. 2019 The music didn't just change based on the space—the dispersion of light, or a breeze through a window. — Wired, "Let Your Plants Play Music, and Gardens of Sound Will Bloom," 25 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dispersion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

9 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Dispersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersion. Accessed 20 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for dispersion

dispersion

noun

dis·per·sion | \ dis-ˈpər-zhən, -shən

Medical Definition of dispersion

1 : the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed

2 : the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum also : the separation of radiation into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (as energy)

3a : a dispersed substance

b : a system consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b

— called also disperse system

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