disposal

noun

dis·​pos·​al di-ˈspō-zəl 

1

: the power or authority to make use of as one chooses : the power or authority to dispose of something

The car was at my disposal.

2

: the act or process of disposing: such as

a

: orderly placement or distribution

the disposal of troops along the ridge

b

: regulation, administration

c

: the act or action of presenting or bestowing (see bestow sense 4) something

disposal of favors

the disposal of property

d

: systematic destruction

especially : destruction or transformation of garbage

trash disposal

the disposal of nuclear waste

3

[garbage disposal unit] : a device used to reduce waste matter (as by grinding)

putting food scraps down the disposal

Synonyms

• discarding
• disposition
• dumping
• jettison
• junking
• removal
• riddance
• scrapping
• throwing away

Examples of disposal in a Sentence

the disposal of nuclear waste

trash disposal is on Wednesday in our neighborhood

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, home textiles made with Birla Excel are designed to be biodegradable, which helps reduce environmental impact after disposal. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2024

The group sold its Sylvan Learning business in February of this year in an attempt to deleverage its balance sheet, but other possible disposals were hindered by the allegations involving Kahn, FRG’s chief restructuring officer David Orlofsky said in a court filing. —Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

For every five plates finished, a short anime or game plays on the tablet screen at the table; and a prize is dispensed from a machine triggered by every 15th plate placed in a tableside disposal slot. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Nov. 2024

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, the county alleged PepsiCo and Coca-Cola companies have misled the public about the recyclability of their plastic bottles and downplayed the negative environmental and health impacts of plastic disposal. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disposal

• at someone's disposal
• garbage disposal
• waste disposal unit

Kids Definition

disposal

noun

dis·​pos·​al dis-ˈpō-zəl 

1

: the right or power to use or control something : command

funds at our disposal

2

: an orderly arrangement

the disposal of troops for battle

3

: a getting rid of or putting out of the way

trash disposal

4

: management sense 1, administration

5

: the transfer of something to a new owner

a disposal of property