dispersal

[dih-spur-suhl]

noun

1. dispersion.

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 Word Forms

• nondispersal noun
• redispersal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispersal¹

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

Example Sentences

Essex Police had a dispersal order in place and set restrictions on the protest, saying it must be finished by 20:00 and banners must not contain "offensive or inflammatory language".

From BBC

A Section 35 dispersal order has now been put in place, allowing officers to direct people to leave the area and not return if they suspect they may cause disorder.

From BBC

In a statement, Essex Police said they had also enforced a dispersal order for the area around The Bell Hotel until Saturday morning.

From BBC

The national "dispersal" plan places asylum seekers in private accommodation around the UK - the hotels are on top.

From BBC

At the halfway point, Covington police shouted dispersal orders that protesters said they couldn’t hear clearly over the chanting.

From Salon

Related Words

• diffusion 
• dispersion 
• dissemination 
• scattering