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

Since tariffs have previously been quantified and Dover has tools at its disposal to offset the impact, the company should be able to navigate any potential disruption. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 July 2025

In particular, this implies speeding up the preparation of credible countermeasures, by mobilizing all the instruments at its disposal, including anti-coercion, if no agreement is reached by August 1st. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025

Tottenham Hotspur’s new head coach, Thomas Frank, will adapt to the squad at his disposal. —Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 9 July 2025

In 2017, Jason Chaffetz, the former Utah representative, retracted a disposal bill after a backlash. —Abe Streep, ProPublica, 8 July 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