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

Milo said having the chamber of commerce there will allow residents with an entrepreneurial spirit to have resources at their disposal. —Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025

Attendees are encouraged to take part in electronic recycling by bringing old phones, laptops, cords, chargers, tablets, and other devices for responsible disposal. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025

Ancelotti deserves some blame for not constructing a more viable team out of the talented players at his disposal. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025

Because what type of Nancy hypercar doesn't have at least a proper megawatt (1,341 hp) at the driver's disposal these days? —New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for disposal

• petrosal
• proposal
• serosal
• counterproposal

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