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

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.
About 100 police officers were called to King of Prussia Mall early on Saturday morning for crowd control and dispersal connected to a watch release. Joe Brandt, CBS News, 16 May 2026 Ben Johns, the most expensive player in the original dispersal draft at an initial $840k acquisition figure (and thus a $420k renewal figure) was traded from Carolina to the LA Mad Drops and instantly rocketed that roster well over the original $1M limit. Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 The month prior, an adult man was charged after allegedly punching a police officer at the city's annual Light Up Night, and police issued a dispersal order when teens began to get rowdy. Finch Walker, USA Today, 12 May 2026 Examples include his pioneering insights on the dispersal of seeds, his anticipation of Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection and his study of the seasonal manifestations of natural phenomena, such as plants’ flowering times and bird migrations. Robert M. Thorson, The Conversation, 8 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dispersal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersal. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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

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