dispersion

noun

dis·​per·​sion di-ˈspər-zhən 

-shən

1

capitalized Judaism : diaspora sense 1b

2

: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed

crowd dispersion

3

mathematics : the scattering of the values of a frequency distribution from an average

4

physics : the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum

also : the separation of radiation (see radiation sense 2) into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (such as energy)

5

chemistry

a

: a dispersed (see disperse sense 2c) substance

b

: a system (see system sense 1a(2)) consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b

Synonyms

• dispersal
• scattering

Examples of dispersion in a Sentence

the dispersion of energy from a source

Recent Examples on the Web

The biggest challenge to governance in Japan is not far-right populism but power dispersion and the gridlock that comes with it. —Mireya Solís, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025

Its optical construction includes 14 elements in 11 groups, with extra-low dispersion glass and aspherical elements to minimize chromatic aberration and distortion. —Harry Bennett, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2025

As of noon Saturday, air quality maps showed unhealthy levels in the areas surrounding the fire but better dispersion than Friday around neighboring communities like Calistoga and Pope Valley. —Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2025

For example, vaccine distribution involves intricate logistics and cold storage planning, strict safety and compliance requirements and optimizing for both consolidation (such as co-locating compatible products) and dispersion (like geographic and weather risks). —Michael Amori, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see disperse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dispersion

• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• diversion
• eversion
• excursion
• immersion
• incursion
• inversion
• perversion
• recursion
• reversion

Kids Definition

dispersion

noun

dis·​per·​sion dis-ˈpər-zhən 

1

: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed

2

: the separation of light (as by a prism) into a series of colors

dispersive

-ˈpər-siv

-ziv

adjective

Medical Definition

dispersion

noun

dis·​per·​sion dis-ˈpər-zhən, -shən 

1

: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed

2

: the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum

also : the separation of radiation into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (as energy)

3

a

: a dispersed substance

b

: a system consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b

called also disperse system