dispersion

noun

dis·​per·​sion di-ˈspər-zhən 

-shən

1

capitalized Judaism : diaspora sense 1b

2

: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed

crowd dispersion

3

mathematics : the scattering of the values of a frequency distribution from an average

4

physics : the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum

also : the separation of radiation (see radiation sense 2) into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (such as energy)

5

chemistry

a

: a dispersed (see disperse sense 2c) substance

b

: a system (see system sense 1a(2)) consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b

Synonyms

• disbandment
• dispersal
• dissipation
• scattering

Examples of dispersion in a Sentence

the dispersion of energy from a source

Recent Examples on the Web

One day does not start a trend but, this sizable of a dispersion is a sign that smaller capitalization companies that have significant interest rate sensitivity may have the ability to go on a bit of a catch-up run. —Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 12 July 2024

Among the concerns from launching such a large rocket are launch pad anomalies, debris dispersion, blast overpressure, sonic boom overpressure, explosion, fire, air quality, noise or other effects during launch, landing or other operations. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2024

Following concerns from the public, the state agency requested that South32 voluntarily conduct additional air quality dispersion modeling for manganese. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 2 July 2024

Villanova physicist Dylan Paré and his colleagues converted the telescope’s data into segments suitable for visual representation, and Kaitlyn Karpovich, then an undergraduate student, crafted the colorful background using additional telescopes’ data on dust temperature and dispersion. —Riis Williams, Scientific American, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see disperse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dispersion

noun

dis·​per·​sion dis-ˈpər-zhən 

1

: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed

2

: the separation of light (as by a prism) into a series of colors

dispersive

-ˈpər-siv

-ziv

adjective

Medical Definition

dispersion

noun

dis·​per·​sion dis-ˈpər-zhən, -shən 

1

: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed

2

: the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum

also : the separation of radiation into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (as energy)

3

a

: a dispersed substance

b

: a system consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b

called also disperse system