disposal
1 Americannoun
-
an act or instance of disposing; arrangement.
the disposal of the troops.
-
a disposing of or getting rid of something.
the disposal of waste material.
-
a disposing or allotting of, as by gift or sale; bestowal or assignment.
She left no will to indicate the disposal of her possessions.
-
power or right to dispose of a thing; control.
left at his disposal.
- Synonyms:
- management, direction, command
noun
noun
-
the act or means of getting rid of something
-
placement or arrangement in a particular order
-
a specific method of tending to matters, as in business
-
the act or process of transferring something to or providing something for another
-
the power or opportunity to make use of someone or something (esp in the phrase at one's disposal )
-
a means of destroying waste products, as by grinding into particles
Etymology
Origin of disposal1
First recorded in 1620–30; dispose + -al 2
Origin of disposal2
Short for garbage-disposal; see disposal 1
Explanation
Disposal means getting rid of something, or throwing it away. When you go on a picnic, be sure to have a bag for the disposal of your trash afterward, or you will be a terrible litterbug. You can use a garbage disposal, a grinder in your sink drain that allows you to wash down certain waste items without causing clogs, for the disposal of vegetable scraps. In addition to meaning "getting rid of something," disposal can also mean "the power or means to accomplish something." If you have a fleet of limousines at your disposal, it's easy to get a large number of guests to a wedding.
Vocabulary lists containing disposal
And Then There Were None
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Beowulf vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Prisoner B-3087
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Disposal of the carcasses at sea was ruled out, following advice from environmental regulators.
From BBC • Jul. 16, 2024
Because of its size and degraded state, bomb technicians requested that the Travis Air Force Base Explosive Ordnance Disposal team inspect the bomb, according to an Air Force public affairs spokesperson.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency sponsors the Responsible Appliance Disposal program for recycling refrigerators and freezers, while the Earth911 Recycling Search database can help you find recycling facilities for all major appliances.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2023
In a statement, it said the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended and carried out a controlled explosion.
From BBC • Aug. 4, 2023
Though Harry had by no means forgotten about Black, he couldn’t brood constantly on revenge if he wanted to help Hagrid win his case against the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
