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

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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Etymology

Origin of scattering

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

Example Sentences

"The scattering amplitudes don't go to infinity. It's better behaved."

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

Visible affects are evident from major events, such as last year's forest fires in Canada or storms in the Sahara lifting up dust and scattering it across Europe and the UK.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Whatever the weight, a falling pot always sends seamen scattering; the close calls have been many.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Forces at Mali's Tessalit military base, a "super-camp" near the Algerian border, surrendered and were scattering southward, an official from the Tuareg-dominated FLA separatist group told AFP.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Leaves of unraveling newspaper blow into the rank water that runs in an open ditch; the newspaper wheels along the street, scattering its sheets onto the water, where they float as translucent squares of lace.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver