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
The winner-takes-all system (single-member districts, plurality wins) naturally rewards concentration and punishes dispersion.
—
Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The fully multi-coated extra-low dispersion (ED) glass brings every subject into crisp view, whether that be stargazing, birdwatching or terrestrial viewing.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 25 Nov. 2025
Katamaran — which trades a market-neutral long/short equity strategy which aims to generate alpha from changes and catalysts arising from earnings dispersion — is short the company, which publicly debuted in Australia in 2019 before launched a dual listing on the Nasdaq in 2024.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
For now, the map provides visual data for understanding how the civilization moved and evolved, helping to identify routes for the dispersion of goods, the circulation of diseases or the spread of ideas, de Soto said.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispersion
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Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The fully multi-coated extra-low dispersion (ED) glass brings every subject into crisp view, whether that be stargazing, birdwatching or terrestrial viewing.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 25 Nov. 2025
Katamaran — which trades a market-neutral long/short equity strategy which aims to generate alpha from changes and catalysts arising from earnings dispersion — is short the company, which publicly debuted in Australia in 2019 before launched a dual listing on the Nasdaq in 2024.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025
For now, the map provides visual data for understanding how the civilization moved and evolved, helping to identify routes for the dispersion of goods, the circulation of diseases or the spread of ideas, de Soto said.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispersion
Cite this Entry
“Dispersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersion. Accessed 2 Dec. 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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