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 of disposal

• 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

Employees will lessen amount in cold hold and mark it for four-hour disposal. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

The usual practice for rocket disposals is to steer them toward reentry over the ocean, suggesting the incident on September 15 was perhaps the result of a botched deorbit burn. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Hartford has a leaf disposal system that includes raking to the curb and brown bag pick ups, as well as leaf bag drop off with a city permit. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Some cities have free disposal days for residents, and some allow non-residents to use the facility for a fee. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

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