disposal

/dəˈspoʊzəl/

/dɪsˈpʌʊzəl/

Other forms: disposals

Disposal means getting rid of something, or throwing it away. When you go on a picnic, be sure to have a bag for the disposal of your trash afterward, or you will be a terrible litterbug.

You can use a garbage disposal, a grinder in your sink drain that allows you to wash down certain waste items without causing clogs, for the disposal of vegetable scraps. In addition to meaning "getting rid of something," disposal can also mean "the power or means to accomplish something." If you have a fleet of limousines at your disposal, it's easy to get a large number of guests to a wedding.

Definitions of disposal

1. noun

   the act or means of getting rid of something
   synonyms: disposition, heave-ho

   types:

   appointment

   (law) the act of disposing of property by virtue of the power of appointment

   comb-out

   the act of carefully weeding out unwanted things or people

   giving

   disposing of property by voluntary transfer without receiving value in return

   abandonment

   the voluntary surrender of property (or a right to property) without attempting to reclaim it or give it away

   mine disposal

   the disposal of explosive mines

   sewage disposal

   the disposal of sewage

   lending, loaning

   disposing of money or property with the expectation that the same thing (or an equivalent) will be returned

   discard, throwing away

   getting rid something that is regarded as useless or undesirable

   discard

   (cards) the act of throwing out a useless card or of failing to follow suit

   minesweeping

   the activity of detecting and disposing of marine mines

   usury

   the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest

   type of:

   act, deed, human action, human activity

   something that people do or cause to happen
2. noun

   a kitchen appliance for disposing of garbage
   synonyms: electric pig, garbage disposal

   type of:

   kitchen appliance

   a home appliance used in preparing food
3. noun

   a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs)
   synonyms: administration

   types:

   conducting

   the way of administering a business

   line management

   administration of the activities contributing directly to an organization's output

   organisation, organization

   the act of organizing a business or an activity related to a business

   running

   the act of administering or being in charge of something

   polity

   shrewd or crafty management of public affairs

   administrivia

   the tiresome but essential details that must be taken care of and tasks that must be performed in running an organization

   nonprofit, nonprofit organization, not-for-profit

   an organization chartered for other than profit-making activities

   rationalisation, rationalization

   the organization of a business according to scientific principles of management in order to increase efficiency

   reorganisation, reorganization, shake-up, shakeup

   a set of drastic changes, such as to staff, policies, or organizational structure

   self-organisation, self-organization

   organizing yourself (especially organizing your own labor union)

   syndication

   organizing into or administering as a syndicate

   type of:

   direction, management

   the act of managing something
4. noun

   the power to use something or someone
   “used all the resources at his disposal”

   type of:

   power, powerfulness

   possession of controlling influence