dispersion

noun

dis·​per·​sion di-ˈspər-zhən How to pronounce dispersion (audio)
-shən
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

Examples of dispersion in a Sentence

the dispersion of energy from a source
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.
By integrating all relevant data into one place, response times are optimized and the dispersion of information across multiple platforms is avoided. Jose Luis Gonzalez Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 The state could take advantage of technological trends — remote work, for example — to allow for more population dispersion. Joel Kotkin, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025 Their familiarity with Iberian language and culture, combined with the dispersion of their community, positioned them to participate in the new global economy: trade in sugar, textiles, spices – and the trade in human lives, Atlantic slavery. Flora Cassen, The Conversation, 27 June 2025 The standard deviation measures price volatility, so the bands widen during periods of high volatility and contract during periods of low volatility, visually representing the dispersion of prices around the mean. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dispersion

Word History

Etymology

see disperse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispersion was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dispersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersion. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

dispersion

noun
dis·​per·​sion dis-ˈpər-zhən How to pronounce dispersion (audio)
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
-ˈpər-siv
-ziv
adjective

Medical Definition

dispersion

noun
dis·​per·​sion dis-ˈpər-zhən, -shən How to pronounce dispersion (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on dispersion

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