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

That scum can then be skimmed off the surface for disposal, although Velev does state that the chitosan could be reclaimed from the substance and used to create more microcleaners. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2025

When those systems are streamlined and integrated, institutions can save time, money and overhead—even boosting engagement as students and staff make better use of the tools at their disposal. —Chase Williams, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Travel advisories are one tool at America's disposal. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

Each household can bring up to 20 residential tires for proper disposal; commercial tires will not be accepted. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 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