dispersion

noun

dis·​per·​sion di-ˈspər-zhən 

-shən

1

Dispersion 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

Synonyms of dispersion

• dispersal
• scattering

Examples of dispersion in a Sentence

the dispersion of energy from a source

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, scientists working in SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, already factor in the consequences of electron dispersion in the interstellar medium between stars. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Mar. 2026

With 503 individual stocks driving movement, internal dispersion has been significant. —Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026

What now matters is the rate of acceleration, the severity profile and the geographic dispersion of violations. —Frederic Lemieux, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026

To minimize chromatic aberration, the smart telescope is outfitted with a four-element apochromatic lens with extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass. —New Atlas, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see disperse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dispersion

• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• diversion
• eversion
• excursion
• immersion
• incursion
• inversion
• perversion
• recursion
• reversion

Kids 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

-ˈpər-siv, 

-ziv

adjective

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