DISPOSAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does disposal mean? 

• DISPOSAL (noun)
  The noun DISPOSAL has 4 senses:

1. the power to use something or someone

2. a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs)

3. the act or means of getting rid of something

4. a kitchen appliance for disposing of garbage

  Familiarity information: DISPOSAL used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISPOSAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The power to use something or someone

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Context example:

used all the resources at his disposal

Hypernyms ("disposal" is a kind of...):

power; powerfulness (possession of controlling influence)

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

administration; disposal

Hypernyms ("disposal" is a kind of...):

direction; management (the act of managing something)

Domain category:

business; business enterprise; commercial enterprise (the activity of providing goods and services involving financial and commercial and industrial aspects)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "disposal"):

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)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act or means of getting rid of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

disposal; disposition

Hypernyms ("disposal" is a kind of...):

act; deed; human action; human activity (something that people do or cause to happen)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "disposal"):

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)

Derivation:

dispose (throw or cast away)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A kitchen appliance for disposing of garbage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

disposal; electric pig; garbage disposal

Hypernyms ("disposal" is a kind of...):

kitchen appliance (a home appliance used in preparing food)

 Context examples 

“Well,” said he, “let us go round. Not one of your cases, Watson—mental, not physical. All right; come if you want to. Now, Mr. Soames—at your disposal!”

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I am at your disposal. Make your own arrangements.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

But I am at his disposal.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

They were all at her disposal.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

And then, to follow of your Lordship's wishes I shall hold myself at your disposal to render an account to you, when and where you will.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I told his excellency “that I was entirely at his disposal;” and accordingly we set out next morning.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Mr. Roundhay, we are entirely at your disposal.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The disposal of the rooms had been left in my hands, and I arranged that Captain Barrington should sleep in the larger and I in the smaller.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Proper disposal of pesticides is also important - it can help protect the environment.

(Pesticides, Environmental Protection Agency)

Eclipses are the strongest initiator of change that the universe has at its disposal.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)