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

• discarding
• disposition
• dumping
• jettison
• junking
• removal
• riddance
• scrapping
• throwing away

Examples of disposal in a Sentence

the disposal of nuclear waste

trash disposal is on Wednesday in our neighborhood

Recent Examples on the Web

And with the nuclear sector showing signs of undergoing a renaissance—as countries look to decarbonize energy production and with the tech sector seeking ways to power its electricity-hungry AI systems—the pressure for nuclear-waste disposal is likely to grow. —Marta Abbà, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025

All season, Wolves wing Donte DiVincenzo has preached the power of having both options at the team’s disposal. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025

The program is designed to help cities and towns provide for collection and proper disposal of nips and to prevent littering. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025

Robert Weisberg, a professor at Stanford Law School, noted that the Supreme Court does have tools at its disposal to enforce its rulings, such as the issuance of injunctions on administrative actions and the deployment of U.S. marshals. —Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 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