dispersion
noun
dis·per·sion
di-ˈspər-zhən 
-shən
1
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
Examples of dispersion in a Sentence
the dispersion of energy from a source
Recent Examples on the Web
This is the dispersion of aerosols like fireworks or industrial pollutants that are inhibited by surface-level temperatures either the same or higher in the atmosphere up to a couple thousand feet.
.
—
Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 2 Jan. 2025
Communities can stay informed about ash risks through official alerts, including those from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers, which monitor ash dispersion and issue timely warnings.
—David Kitchen, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025
Given the significant dispersion in returns—highlighted by a 17.2% top/bottom gap in November—advisor due diligence is paramount.
—Steven Brod, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
The investment firm looked for stocks that have a history of missing EPS estimates and a higher dispersion in analyst estimates, so there’s a lot of uncertainty around the results.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dispersion
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Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 2 Jan. 2025
Communities can stay informed about ash risks through official alerts, including those from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers, which monitor ash dispersion and issue timely warnings.
—David Kitchen, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025
Given the significant dispersion in returns—highlighted by a 17.2% top/bottom gap in November—advisor due diligence is paramount.
—Steven Brod, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
The investment firm looked for stocks that have a history of missing EPS estimates and a higher dispersion in analyst estimates, so there’s a lot of uncertainty around the results.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dispersion
Cite this Entry
“Dispersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersion. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dispersion
noun
dis·per·sion
dis-ˈpər-zhən
1
: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed
2
: the separation of light (as by a prism) into a series of colors
dispersive
adjective
-ˈpər-siv
-ziv
Medical Definition
dispersion
noun
dis·per·sion
dis-ˈpər-zhən, -shən
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)
3
a
: 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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