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
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
Examples of disposal in a Sentence
the disposal of nuclear waste
trash disposal is on Wednesday in our neighborhood
Recent Examples on the Web
Just as enslaved women were at James Marion Sims’ disposal in the mid-19th century, black women’s bodies today remain more vulnerable to medical exploitation.
—
TIME, 24 Apr. 2024
For paper cups lined with plastic, every step of their lifecycle is the problem—from raw material extraction of wood and petroleum to manufacturing, shipping, and disposal.
—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disposal 
TIME, 24 Apr. 2024
For paper cups lined with plastic, every step of their lifecycle is the problem—from raw material extraction of wood and petroleum to manufacturing, shipping, and disposal.
—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disposal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disposal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near disposal
Cite this Entry
“Disposal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disposal. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
5
: the transfer of something to a new owner
a disposal of property
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