disposal

¹

[dih-spoh-zuhl]

noun

1. an act or instance of disposing; arrangement.

   the disposal of the troops.

2. a disposing of or getting rid of something.

   the disposal of waste material.

3. a disposing or allotting of, as by gift or sale; bestowal or assignment.

   She left no will to indicate the disposal of her possessions.

4. power or right to dispose of a thing; control.

   left at his disposal.

   Synonyms: management, direction, command

disposal

²

[dih-spoh-zuhl]

noun

1. an electrical device in the drain of a sink, for grinding up garbage to be washed down the drain.

disposal

/ dɪˈspəʊzəl /

noun

1. the act or means of getting rid of something

2. placement or arrangement in a particular order

3. a specific method of tending to matters, as in business

4. the act or process of transferring something to or providing something for another

5. the power or opportunity to make use of someone or something (esp in the phrase at one's disposal )

6. a means of destroying waste products, as by grinding into particles

Word History and Origins

Origin of disposal¹

First recorded in 1620–30; dispose + -al ²

Origin of disposal²

Short for garbage-disposal; disposal ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see put at someone's disposal.

Example Sentences

The firm has received conflicting alerts about their status, including some saying the items were set for disposal.

Read more on BBC

“We will use all tools at our disposal.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

With so much fantastic archival footage at Hanks’ disposal, it’s hard not to be stricken by just how much the world has changed in the 30 years since Candy’s death.

Read more on Salon

"We shouldn't be naive. We know full well the ruling system has ample means at its disposal to get results in its favour," Cameroonian political scientist Stephane Akoa told AFP.

Read more on Barron's

He had pass rush moves at his disposal and a first step that was lethal at his size.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clearance 
• demolition 
• destruction 
• disposition 
• dumping 
• removal 
• transfer