dispersal
Americannoun
noun
-
the act of dispersing or the condition of being dispersed
-
the spread of animals, plants, or seeds to new areas
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dispersal
Explanation
Dispersal is the act of spreading something around. This could be positive (like a dispersal of money) or negative (like a dispersal of a crowd because of a bomb). If you know that dispersing is when something spreads out or separates, then you have a headstart to understanding dispersal. Dispersal causes something to be diffused or disseminated, like the dispersal of seeds in a garden. A strong wind could cause the dispersal of someone’s homework. A tear gas bomb causes the dispersal of tear gas, which in turn will cause the dispersal of a crowd. Anytime something is spreading out or becoming widespread, there's a dispersal at play.
Vocabulary lists containing dispersal
Academic Vocabulary, Literary Terms, and Vocabulary from Readings, Unit 5
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!
Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 4)
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!
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.
Local media reports the dispersal of the motorcade soon afterward, while the driver of the middle vehicle -- usually transporting the politician -- rolls down the window and shows that no one is on board.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
The researchers suggest that this unusual evolutionary strategy would be advantageous only in environments where the benefits of greater spore dispersal outweigh the resources needed for growth.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026
The St Enoch Centre is located inside the Glasgow city centre dispersal zone which was established in March as part of a crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
To be sure, the president and the executive branch are charged with lawfully implementing congressional directives about the dispersal of appropriated funds.
From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026
Like the changes in seed dispersal, these changes in germination inhibition characterize wheat, barley, peas, and many other crops compared with their wild ancestors.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
