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
Courtesy the artist and Hesse Flatow, New York City
Chorus, a mixed-media artwork (acrylic dispersion, pigment, chalk, and pencil on unstretched canvas) by Ella Walker, whose work was on view last month at Casey Kaplan Gallery, in New York City.
—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024
Other countries, including Australia, are tracking how the dispersion of ash may affect their flights.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispersion 
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024
Other countries, including Australia, are tracking how the dispersion of ash may affect their flights.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispersion
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dispersion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dispersion
Cite this Entry
“Dispersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersion. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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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