disposal

noun

dis·​pos·​al di-ˈspō-zəl How to pronounce disposal (audio)
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
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

Example Sentences

the disposal of nuclear waste trash disposal is on Wednesday in our neighborhood
Recent Examples on the Web So a botnet that harnesses video has enormous cannons at its disposal. IEEE Spectrum, 23 May 2023 In that respect, all three phones have the same computational photography and Google Photos tools at their disposal. Dave Leclair, PCMAG, 12 May 2023 After treatment in Baltimore, the water would be shipped to Clean Harbors Cleveland for final disposal in Ohio, said Jay Apperson, a spokesman for the Maryland Department of the Environment. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 10 May 2023 The council also approved a request from Waste Management to raise solid waste disposal rates. Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2023 Legal experts point out that senators have, in theory, an arsenal of tactics at their disposal to police the Supreme Court. Jesús Rodríguez, Washington Post, 5 May 2023 Cheering the Waste In the 1980s, Congress established a national nuclear waste disposal program that sought to set up repositories for different categories of waste from weapons sites and civilian power plants. Daniel Moore, Fortune, 2 May 2023 And on Thursday night, the Ravens went out and drafted an underrated playmaker in Zay Flowers, who joins a passing attack that includes Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr. at Jackson’s disposal. Christopher Price, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Apr. 2023 At the bottom of the basin the Husqvarna had enough power to roll that nasty mess into a large tumbleweed for easy disposal. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 25 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disposal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disposal was in 1630

Dictionary Entries Near disposal

Cite this Entry

“Disposal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disposal. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

disposal

noun
dis·​pos·​al dis-ˈpō-zəl How to pronounce disposal (audio)
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
5
: the transfer of something to a new owner
a disposal of property

More from Merriam-Webster on disposal

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