scat·ter·ing
ˈska-tə-riŋ 
2
: something scattered: such as
a
: a small number or quantity interspersed here and there
a scattering of visitors
b
: the random change in direction of the particles constituting a beam or wave front due to collision with particles of the medium traversed
1
: going in various directions
2
: found or placed far apart and in no order
3
: divided among many or several
scattering votes
Examples of scattering in a Sentence
Noun
the scattering of the protesters suddenly turned violent and chaotic
a scattering of people in the mostly empty theater
Recent Examples on the Web
Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024
However, the Stamford researchers discovered that the application of tartrazine, a food dye more popularly known as FD&C Yellow 5, tamed this scattering effect.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2024
Eating her sandwich resulted in a scattering of crumbs on the table.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2024
Arizona was the first of the presidential battleground states to open early in-person voting sites on Oct. 9, with a scattering of traditional voting centers.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scattering 
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Noun
Speed the composting process along by creating foot layers of leaves topped with a few inches of soil and a scattering of fertilizer or manure.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024
However, the Stamford researchers discovered that the application of tartrazine, a food dye more popularly known as FD&C Yellow 5, tamed this scattering effect.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2024
Eating her sandwich resulted in a scattering of crumbs on the table.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2024
Arizona was the first of the presidential battleground states to open early in-person voting sites on Oct. 9, with a scattering of traditional voting centers.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scattering
Dictionary Entries Near scattering
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scattering. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scattering
1 of 2 noun
scat·ter·ing
ˈskat-ə-riŋ
1
: an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
2
: something scattered
especially
: a small number or amount placed or found here and there
a scattering of visitors
scattering
2 of 2 adjective1
: going in various directions
2
: found or placed far apart and in no pattern
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