dispersal
noun
dis·pers·al
di-ˈspər-səl 
: the act or result of dispersing
especially
: the process or result of the spreading of organisms from one place to another
Examples of dispersal in a Sentence
the dispersal of plant seeds in the forests through natural means
Recent Examples on the Web
As part of that shift, the company auctioned off its horses in a dispersal sale last September, bringing in more than $28 million in a single day.
—
Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
Some factors common to many invasive plants include rapid growth and early maturity, production of many seeds, wide dispersal of seeds by birds and wind, seeds that germinate quickly, few natural enemies, and an ability to reproduce vegetatively.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Federal law enforcement is also ordered not to detain or arrest otherwise lawful protesters, use pepper spray against them as a crowd dispersal measure, or stop vehicles when there is no reasonable suspicion those inside are hindering federal agents’ and officers’ efforts on immigration.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
Under the ruling, federal agents cannot use pepper-spray or other non-lethal munitions and crowd dispersal tools against peaceful protesters, the ruling states.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispersal
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Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
Some factors common to many invasive plants include rapid growth and early maturity, production of many seeds, wide dispersal of seeds by birds and wind, seeds that germinate quickly, few natural enemies, and an ability to reproduce vegetatively.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Federal law enforcement is also ordered not to detain or arrest otherwise lawful protesters, use pepper spray against them as a crowd dispersal measure, or stop vehicles when there is no reasonable suspicion those inside are hindering federal agents’ and officers’ efforts on immigration.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
Under the ruling, federal agents cannot use pepper-spray or other non-lethal munitions and crowd dispersal tools against peaceful protesters, the ruling states.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispersal
Cite this Entry
“Dispersal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersal. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dispersal
noun
dis·pers·al
dis-ˈpər-səl
: the act or result of dispersing
Medical Definition
dispersal
noun
dis·pers·al
dis-ˈpər-səl
: the act or result of dispersing
specifically
: the process or result of the spreading of organisms from one place to another
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