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
Recently, that geographic dispersion has tended to favor Republicans, who perform better with rural voters, which is another reason Democrats have become weary of the Electoral College system.
—
Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Equally on the opportunity side, our business has never been more diverse, more rich in its geographic dispersion.
—Joelle Diderich, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024
On the range, Hunter would hit five or 10 balls to the 100-yard marker, then the 50-yard marker, then the 150-yard marker, then walk out and measure the shot dispersion, write it in the notebook, and do it repeatedly.
—Scott Kramer, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Recent research by Chamba and colleagues has also shed light on the role that supernovas might play in the dispersion of gas within a galaxy — where 'stellar feedback' can influence the inflows and outflows of gas in a galaxy which either supports or negates star formation.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
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Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Equally on the opportunity side, our business has never been more diverse, more rich in its geographic dispersion.
—Joelle Diderich, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024
On the range, Hunter would hit five or 10 balls to the 100-yard marker, then the 50-yard marker, then the 150-yard marker, then walk out and measure the shot dispersion, write it in the notebook, and do it repeatedly.
—Scott Kramer, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Recent research by Chamba and colleagues has also shed light on the role that supernovas might play in the dispersion of gas within a galaxy — where 'stellar feedback' can influence the inflows and outflows of gas in a galaxy which either supports or negates star formation.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dispersion
Dictionary Entries Near dispersion
Cite this Entry
“Dispersion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispersion. Accessed 28 Nov. 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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