dispersal

noun

dis·​pers·​al di-ˈspər-səl How to pronounce dispersal (audio)
Synonyms of dispersalnext
: the act or result of dispersing
especially : the process or result of the spreading of organisms from one place to another

Synonyms of dispersal

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Examples of dispersal in a Sentence

the dispersal of plant seeds in the forests through natural means
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.
These sweet fruits attract birds and other animals in the summer, which encourages seed dispersal and the rapid spread of the plants through their feces. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2026 Should an event require intervention in the future, there will be police supervision to ensure the orderly and safe dispersal of attendees. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 18 June 2026 The bacterium may also reduce egg production, body size, development rate, and the dispersal ability of its insect hosts, although these effects vary depending on the host species and the bacterial strain. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026 And for species with limited dispersal abilities, these geological changes can act like giant evolutionary experiments. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispersal

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispersal was in 1821

Rhymes for dispersal

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Browse Nearby Words

dispermous
dispersal
dispersal area
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Cite this Entry

“Dispersal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dispersal

noun
dis·​pers·​al dis-ˈpər-səl How to pronounce dispersal (audio)
: the act or result of dispersing

Medical Definition

dispersal

noun
dis·​pers·​al dis-ˈpər-səl How to pronounce dispersal (audio)
: the act or result of dispersing
specifically : the process or result of the spreading of organisms from one place to another

More from Merriam-Webster on dispersal

Nglish: Translation of dispersal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dispersal

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