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

Stop use immediately; place out of children’s reach and coordinate disposal via photo evidence for a full refund. —Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

The mechanism that agricultural commissioners for Yuba and Sutter counties have at their disposal to curb theft is the annual walnut-buying period that establishes time frames and documentation requirements for buying and selling unprocessed walnuts. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025

Then start slowly pouring a cup of white vinegar into the disposal. —Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025

Californians paid nearly $1 billion for the permanent disposal of waste from San Onofre, Diablo Canyon, et al. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 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