disposal
dihs-POH-zuhl
Disposal (noun) means the act of getting rid of something, especially waste. Example: “Please follow the rules for the safe disposal of old batteries.”
noun
1
The act of getting rid of something, especially waste.
"Please follow the rules for the safe disposal of old batteries."
"The disposal of food waste is easier when you have a separate bin."
"The council collects household waste for disposal every Tuesday."
2
The power or right to use or arrange something (as in 'at one's disposal').
"I have the whole afternoon at my disposal, so ask me anything."
"The library gives students many resources at their disposal for research."
"The hotel put a car and driver at our disposal for the trip."
How to use disposal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting rid of something, or having something available to use as needed.
Common pairings
waste disposal
at your disposal
garbage disposal
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Word forms
- Plural
- disposals
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Please follow the rules for the safe _____ of old batteries.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for disposal
See all rhymes for disposal →Frequently asked questions
What does “disposal” mean?
The word “disposal” means the act of getting rid of something, especially waste. In plain terms, getting rid of something, or having something available to use as needed.
How do you pronounce “disposal”?
“Disposal” is pronounced dihs-POH-zuhl (/dɪsˈpoʊ.zəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “disposal” in a sentence?
Here is “disposal” used in a sentence: “The council collects household waste for disposal every Tuesday.”
What part of speech is “disposal”?
“Disposal” is a noun.
Is “disposal” a common word?
“Disposal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “disposal” have?
“Disposal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of getting rid of something, especially waste.
Is it "at my disposal" or "in my disposal"?
The standard idiom is "at my disposal" — English fixes this expression with "at", as in "every resource at our disposal". "In my disposal" is a common learner error and should be avoided in writing.
What is the difference between disposal and disposition?
Disposal usually means getting rid of something, especially waste, or availability for use ("at his disposal"). Disposition more often means a person's character or temperament, or the arrangement and transfer of property in legal contexts. They overlap in legal writing but are not interchangeable in everyday English.
What is the difference between disposal and recycling?
In waste management, disposal means permanently getting rid of material, for example by sending it to landfill or incineration, while recycling processes material so it can be used again. Waste guidance commonly treats disposal as the last resort after reduction, reuse, and recycling.
