disposition
noun
dis·po·si·tion
ˌdi-spə-ˈzi-shən 
1
a
: prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination
b
: temperamental makeup
c
: the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances
2
: the act or the power of disposing or the state of being disposed: such as
a
b
: final arrangement : settlement
the disposition of the case
c(1)
: transfer to the care or possession of another
(2)
: the power of such transferal
d
: orderly arrangement
Examples of disposition in a Sentence
They move jerkily, like puppets, but have a happy disposition; they are perpetually smiling and are given to frequent paroxysms of laughter.
—
Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999
… the eight species of wild equids (horses and their relatives) vary greatly in disposition, even though all eight are genetically so close to each other that they will interbreed and produce healthy (though usually sterile) offspring.
—Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997
His father, Increase [Mather], with all his faults—his sour, depressive disposition, his open preference for England—is much more attractive.
—Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987
Her easy disposition and sociability masked the intensity of her feelings.
—John Edgar Wideman, Bothers and Keepers, 1984
a dog with an excellent disposition
Her disposition was to always think negatively.
He has a disposition toward criminal behavior.
people with a genetic disposition toward a particular disease
A will is a legal document that is used in the disposition of property.
Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999
… the eight species of wild equids (horses and their relatives) vary greatly in disposition, even though all eight are genetically so close to each other that they will interbreed and produce healthy (though usually sterile) offspring.
—Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997
His father, Increase [Mather], with all his faults—his sour, depressive disposition, his open preference for England—is much more attractive.
—Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987
Her easy disposition and sociability masked the intensity of her feelings.
—John Edgar Wideman, Bothers and Keepers, 1984
a dog with an excellent disposition
Her disposition was to always think negatively.
He has a disposition toward criminal behavior.
people with a genetic disposition toward a particular disease
A will is a legal document that is used in the disposition of property.
Recent Examples on the Web
Engaging in self-reflection: Demonstrating self-awareness and humility, recognizing the impact of your dispositions and behaviors on the well-being of your team.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024
Who's got four paws, a sunny disposition and loves fetching balls?
—Yacob Reyes, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024
Dating back to classical antiquity, the idea that a soothsayer can tell something about a person’s health, disposition, or destiny from the lines on their palm has long fascinated seers and scientists alike.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show, instead, transformed over multiple iterations into a spectacle of costumes, dancers, high-production performances and an ever-evolving story — one that usually pits the two performers’ disparate dispositions against one another.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disposition 
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Julie Kratz, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024
Who's got four paws, a sunny disposition and loves fetching balls?
—Yacob Reyes, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024
Dating back to classical antiquity, the idea that a soothsayer can tell something about a person’s health, disposition, or destiny from the lines on their palm has long fascinated seers and scientists alike.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024
The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show, instead, transformed over multiple iterations into a spectacle of costumes, dancers, high-production performances and an ever-evolving story — one that usually pits the two performers’ disparate dispositions against one another.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disposition
Dictionary Entries Near disposition
Cite this Entry
“Disposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disposition. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disposition
noun
dis·po·si·tion
ˌdis-pə-ˈzish-ən
1
: the act or power of disposing : disposal
2
: arrangement sense 1
the disposition of furniture in a room
3
a
: one's usual attitude or mood
a cheerful disposition
b
: a leaning toward a particular way of thinking or acting : tendency, inclination
neither showed a disposition to retreat
Legal Definition
disposition
noun
dis·po·si·tion
1
b
: the sentence given to a convicted criminal defendant
probation is often a desirable disposition—W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
also
: the sentence given to or treatment prescribed for a juvenile offender
2
: transfer to the care, possession, or ownership of another
to either a surviving spouse or a charity, those dispositions are totally exonerated from the payment of taxes—Matter of McKinney, 477 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1984)
Matter of McKinney, 477 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1984)
also
: the power of such transferral
3
: the state or condition of being predisposed : predisposition
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