dispersal

[ dih-spur-suhl ]

noun

1. dispersion ( def 1 ).

dispersal

/ dɪˈspɜːsəl /

noun

1. the act of dispersing or the condition of being dispersed
2. the spread of animals, plants, or seeds to new areas

Other Words From

• nondis·persal noun
• redis·persal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispersal¹

First recorded in 1815–25; disperse + -al ²

Example Sentences

Later, an unidentified group tore apart the Sukkah, police issued a dispersal order, and activists voluntarily left the site in the late evening.

From Los Angeles Times

The former civil servant says she fears that dispersal of these departments across NHS Lothian will cause delays and complications for patients.

From BBC

Liverpool police put in place a dispersal order starting at 16:00 on Saturday following "incidents of disorder".

From BBC

South Wales Police issued a dispersal order in Cardiff on Saturday, in an area around Mermaid Quay and the Senedd.

From BBC

On Tuesday, Essex Police put a dispersal order in place on Southend seafront.

From BBC

Related Words

• diffusion
• dispersion
• dissemination
• scattering