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

Astronomers plan to observe impact While your backyard telescope won't be a lot of help in spotting the impact, professional astronomers have much more powerful equipment at their disposal to observe and crash. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 30 July 2026

If an item is deemed unsellable and requires disposal, Goodwill may offer to dispose of it for a fee between $25 and $35. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

Because our governor and attorney general have long disregarded the most effective tools already at their disposal to fulfill their pronounced objective. — Dean Lerner, Washington Post, 28 July 2026

Organizations suddenly find themselves with a much more powerful machine at their disposal. — Adrian Gostick, Forbes.com, 28 July 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