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

Trash accumulated where it was supposed to be collected for disposal.

From Los Angeles Times

The United States Postal Inspection Service is overseeing the collection and disposal of contaminated mail and packages.

From Los Angeles Times

"Various Second World War-era unexploded ordnance items were discovered as a result of the wildfires, which the EOD operator declared to be inert practice projectiles. They were retrieved for subsequent disposal," he explained.

From BBC

“We have to use every tool at our disposal to not only assert ourselves, but prove ourselves to the American people.”

From Los Angeles Times

Vape disposal bins have been placed in community clubs and universities, while an anti-vaping health education programme has been rolled out in schools.

From BBC

Related Words

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