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.
Replacing a sofa means delivery windows, disposal of the old piece and the risk that the new one won’t fit the room or the household’s lifestyle. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Other existing Idaho laws on miscarriage management are limited, mostly focused on the disposal of a fetus’s remains and on vital statistics certificates. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026 Boswell was found guilty on all counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and improper disposal of human remains in October 2020, and was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2021. — Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 Unlike a digital purchase that can be blocked before anything is shipped, a fraudulent dumpster order can trigger a truck roll, a disposal cost, and a payment to a local provider before the fraud is recognized. — Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 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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