scattering
Americanadjective
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distributed or occurring here and there at irregular intervals; scattered.
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straggling, as an assemblage of parts.
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(of votes) cast in small numbers for various candidates.
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distributing, dispersing, or separating.
noun
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a small, scattered number or quantity.
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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.
noun
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a small amount
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physics the process in which particles, atoms, etc, are deflected as a result of collision
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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.
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See also diffusion cross section
Etymology
Origin of scattering
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at scatter, -ing 2, -ing 1
Vocabulary lists containing scattering
Physics - Introductory
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Physics - Middle School
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Physics - High School
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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.
Whatever the weight, a falling pot always sends seamen scattering; the close calls have been many.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
Tuesday will begin on a chilly note, with any early fog soon clearing to leave sunny spells, but also a scattering of showers - most frequent across Scotland, northern England, the Midlands and Wales.
From BBC • May 4, 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
What you’re left with are little shards of savory excess, perfect for scattering over grain bowls, steaming congee, salads, pastas, anything that could use a jolt of salt, fat, and crunch.
From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026
She walked into her bedroom, shutting the door with a backward kick, and dropped onto the bed, scattering the books across the crimson surface.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
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.
