Disposal means getting rid of something you no longer need or want. When you throw away a broken toy or toss an empty juice box in the recycling bin, you're disposing of it. The word often appears in phrases like garbage disposal (a kitchen device that grinds up food waste) or waste disposal (the system for handling trash in a community).

The word involves getting rid of things responsibly and in the right way. Proper disposal means choosing the correct method for what you're throwing away. Batteries need special disposal because they contain harmful chemicals. Yard waste, paper, and plastic each have their own disposal methods. A hospital must follow strict rules for the disposal of medical waste.

You might also hear the phrase at your disposal, which means available for you to use whenever you need it. If a teacher says “I'm at your disposal after class,” she means you can ask her questions then. When a library puts resources at your disposal, those books and computers are there for you to use freely. This meaning flips the word around: instead of getting rid of something, you're being offered something useful.