Synonyms of disposalnext
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
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

Examples of disposal in a Sentence

the disposal of nuclear waste trash disposal is on Wednesday in our neighborhood
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
California wine has already been contending with declining demand and global oversupply issues, leading to downsizing, closures and disposal of tons of grapes. Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 But Canada also has other tools at its disposal, including restrictions on key exports to the United States. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 Now that the 2026 IHSA football season is fully underway, college coaches across the country now have an important recruiting tool at their disposal. Tim O'Halloran, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is seeking to cap rising yields using a variety of tools at his department's disposal. Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disposal

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disposal was in 1630

Cite this Entry

“Disposal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disposal. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

disposal

noun
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
5
: the transfer of something to a new owner
a disposal of property
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