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

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

Recent controversy over a potential new landfill in south Kansas City has prompted the city to consider its waste disposal needs. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024

However, a backlog in the disposal of this type of equipment from the ISS forced NASA to place the batteries inside a cargo pallet and throw them out using the space station’s robotic arm, which led to their uncontrolled reentry. —Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024

And the director, Danya Taymor, pulls it off by gathering all the theatrical tools at her disposal, except for music — a daring choice for a musical. —Elisabeth Vincentelli, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024

The changes also now mandate that information about safe disposal be provided when legal fireworks are sold. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 10 Apr. 2024

Iran’s militias have a long record of tenacity and adaptability, and the weapons at their disposal are relatively plentiful and inexpensive, especially compared with the costs of the American strikes to eliminate them. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024

In 2022, metallic mining released 1.43 billion pounds of toxic chemicals, accounting for 44% of all releases, primarily via on-site waste disposal. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 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