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

On the range, Hunter would hit five or 10 balls to the 100-yard marker, then the 50-yard marker, then the 150-yard marker, then walk out and measure the shot dispersion, write it in the notebook, and do it repeatedly. —Scott Kramer, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Recent research by Chamba and colleagues has also shed light on the role that supernovas might play in the dispersion of gas within a galaxy — where 'stellar feedback' can influence the inflows and outflows of gas in a galaxy which either supports or negates star formation. —Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024

However, with high yield credit, Vanguard is focusing on bottom-up security selection due to the dispersion among issuers. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2024

Yet, there still is this dispersion of tumor cells, which might already have occurred before radiation, such that there is the possibility of recurrence outside the field of radiation. —quantamagazine.org, 15 Oct. 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