Showing results for "scattering"

• present participle of scatter.

scattering

American  

[skat-er-ing] / ˈskæt ər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. distributed or occurring here and there at irregular intervals; scattered.

2. straggling, as an assemblage of parts.

3. (of votes) cast in small numbers for various candidates.

4. distributing, dispersing, or separating.

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noun

scatterings plural

1. a small, scattered number or quantity.

2. Physics. the process in which a wave or beam of particles is diffused or deflected by collisions with particles of the medium that it traverses.

scattering British  

/ ˈskætərɪŋ /

noun

1. a small amount

2. physics the process in which particles, atoms, etc, are deflected as a result of collision

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scattering Scientific  

/ skăt′ər-ĭng /

1. The spreading of a stream of particles or a beam of rays, as of light, over a range of directions as a result of collisions with other particles. The sky appears blue due to the tendency of air molecules to scatter blue and violet light more than light of other frequencies. The scattering probabilities and patterns of subatomic particles, accelerated by particle accelerators and aimed at a target, is a major component of experimental particle physics.

2. See also diffusion cross section

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• scatterings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of scattering

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at scatter, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scattering scatterings

At a media tour earlier this week, the massive Convention Center-scaled space was largely empty, save for dormant cranes, a scattering of workers and the occasional hum of drilling.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

Fireworks can frighten animals and send them scattering, but Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets apparently are made of sterner stuff.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

It is also focusing on clusters of stores in regional centers rather than scattering them across the country, she added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

Though it was Gibson's hit in the 19th over, which had spectators scattering for cover in Headingley's second tier, that was the highlight of Saturday, Gibson does not appear keen to disagree.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

Wolf stood up and shook himself, scattering them with wet snow.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

With scatterings of Ukrainians in the crowd, Amosov's name rang out in his native tongue as the fight drew to a close.

From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2023

Image: DroneSeed Trees can normally regenerate due to the scatterings of pine cones by the wind or with the help of animals.

From The Verge ● Apr. 18, 2022

The mauled scatterings of boxes and packages along the train tracks look like the crime scene from a Christmas Eve Santa sleigh-jacking.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 25, 2022

The cast’s expressiveness, incidentally, helps ensure that the ample scatterings of Spanish will be clear to those who don’t speak the language.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 17, 2021

The garden sprinklers whirled up in golden founts, filling the soft morning air with scatterings of brightness.

From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury