dispersion
noun
dis·per·sion
di-ˈspər-zhən 
-shən
1
2
: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed
crowd dispersion
3
mathematics
: the scattering of the values of a frequency distribution from an average
4
physics
: the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum
also
: the separation of radiation (see radiation sense 2) into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (such as energy)
5
chemistry
a
: a dispersed (see disperse sense 2c) substance
b
: a system (see system sense 1a(2)) consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b
Examples of dispersion in a Sentence
the dispersion of energy from a source
Recent Examples on the Web
The broad indexes have been steady near the flat line and just below record highs, held there by another run of extreme dispersion among groups of stocks.
—
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
The biggest challenge to governance in Japan is not far-right populism but power dispersion and the gridlock that comes with it.
—Mireya Solís, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
This ranges from reload and aiming times to penetration and dispersion at 100m.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Its optical construction includes 14 elements in 11 groups, with extra-low dispersion glass and aspherical elements to minimize chromatic aberration and distortion.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispersion
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Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
The biggest challenge to governance in Japan is not far-right populism but power dispersion and the gridlock that comes with it.
—Mireya Solís, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025
This ranges from reload and aiming times to penetration and dispersion at 100m.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Its optical construction includes 14 elements in 11 groups, with extra-low dispersion glass and aspherical elements to minimize chromatic aberration and distortion.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispersion
Cite this Entry
“Dispersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersion. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dispersion
noun
dis·per·sion
dis-ˈpər-zhən
1
: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed
2
: the separation of light (as by a prism) into a series of colors
dispersive
adjective
-ˈpər-siv
-ziv
Medical Definition
dispersion
noun
dis·per·sion
dis-ˈpər-zhən, -shən
1
: the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed
2
: the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum
also
: the separation of radiation into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (as energy)
3
a
: a dispersed substance
b
: a system consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid sense 2b
called also disperse system
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