Word
dispersion
Phoneticsdis·per·sion, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈspɝʒən/
UK/dɪspˈɜːʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the way things or people are spread out over a wide area. It can also describe how light breaks into different colors, like in a rainbow.
n. the action or process of distributing things or people over a wide area; in physics, the separation of light into spectral components. Often used in statistical contexts to describe the spread of values around a mean.
Examples
“The dispersion of seeds happens through wind and water.”
“The rapid dispersion of the crowd after the concert made it easy for traffic to flow again.”
“In optical fibers, chromatic dispersion can cause signal distortion over long distances, requiring specialized equipment to maintain data integrity.”
Examples
simple
“The dispersion of seeds happens through wind and water.”
contextual
“The rapid dispersion of the crowd after the concert made it easy for traffic to flow again.”
complex
“In optical fibers, chromatic dispersion can cause signal distortion over long distances, requiring specialized equipment to maintain data integrity.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general process of spreading; countable when referring to specific patterns or instances in statistics or physics.
Real-World Examples
“Researchers at Zhejiang University in China recently dispersed graphene oxide in highly viscous glycerol, giving the dispersion viscoelastic properties similar to those of a polymer solution.” “The trick to this technique is known as seismic dispersion : Waves of different frequencies travel at different depths.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/dispersion