scat·ter·ing
ˈska-tə-riŋ 
2
: something scattered: such as
a
: a small number or quantity interspersed here and there
a scattering of visitors
b
: the random change in direction of the particles constituting a beam or wave front due to collision with particles of the medium traversed
1
: going in various directions
2
: found or placed far apart and in no order
3
: divided among many or several
scattering votes
Examples of scattering in a Sentence
Noun
the scattering of the protesters suddenly turned violent and chaotic
a scattering of people in the mostly empty theater
Recent Examples on the Web
George Petras, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 5 Feb. 2025
The scattering of the light of the cosmic microwave background, for example, offers clues to the total amount of reionization since that light was emitted, roughly 380,000 years after the Big Bang.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Jan. 2025
Doing so has become increasingly complicated with the scattering of broadcasts across over-the-air antennas, cable packages and streaming services.
—Jesse Granger, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scattering 
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Noun
This year, the Southeast and East Coast are well represented among players' hometowns, with a healthy scattering of places in the eastern-central portion of the country.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 5 Feb. 2025
The scattering of the light of the cosmic microwave background, for example, offers clues to the total amount of reionization since that light was emitted, roughly 380,000 years after the Big Bang.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Jan. 2025
Doing so has become increasingly complicated with the scattering of broadcasts across over-the-air antennas, cable packages and streaming services.
—Jesse Granger, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scattering
Dictionary Entries Near scattering
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scattering. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scattering
1 of 2 noun
scat·ter·ing
ˈskat-ə-riŋ
1
: an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
2
: something scattered
especially
: a small number or amount placed or found here and there
a scattering of visitors
scattering
2 of 2 adjective1
: going in various directions
2
: found or placed far apart and in no pattern
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