disposal

noun

dis·​pos·​al di-ˈspō-zəl 

1

: the power or authority to make use of as one chooses : the power or authority to dispose of something

The car was at my disposal.

2

: the act or process of disposing: such as

a

: orderly placement or distribution

the disposal of troops along the ridge

b

: regulation, administration

c

: the act or action of presenting or bestowing (see bestow sense 4) something

disposal of favors

the disposal of property

d

: systematic destruction

especially : destruction or transformation of garbage

trash disposal

the disposal of nuclear waste

3

[garbage disposal unit] : a device used to reduce waste matter (as by grinding)

putting food scraps down the disposal

Synonyms

• removal
• dumping

Examples of disposal in a Sentence

the disposal of nuclear waste

trash disposal is on Wednesday in our neighborhood

Recent Examples on the Web

At a time when most of his colleagues complain about the lack of signings, the Spaniard was annoyed at having too many options at his disposal. —Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

But Nix was not exactly loaded with weapons at his disposal in Year 1. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025

Yet the Dane played more minutes than anyone else during the opening two friendlies, largely because Eddie Howe has a significant lack of strikers at his disposal following Callum Wilson’s exit, Alexander Isak’s non-appearance on tour and the failure to sign a centre-forward for now. —The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025

The center's extended hours through Aug. 17 are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Only City of Milwaukee residents can use additional services at this location, including disposal of non-Home HazMat items like bulky waste, electronics, tires and yard waste. —Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disposal

• at someone's disposal
• garbage disposal
• waste disposal unit

Rhymes for disposal

• petrosal
• proposal
• serosal
• counterproposal

Kids Definition

disposal

noun

dis·​pos·​al dis-ˈpō-zəl 

1

: the right or power to use or control something : command

funds at our disposal

2

: an orderly arrangement

the disposal of troops for battle

3

: a getting rid of or putting out of the way

trash disposal

4

: management sense 1, administration

5

: the transfer of something to a new owner

a disposal of property