disband

verb

dis·​band dis-ˈband How to pronounce disband (audio)
disbanded; disbanding; disbands

transitive verb

: to break up the organization of : dissolve

intransitive verb

: to break up as an organization : disperse
disbandment noun

Examples of disband in a Sentence

They've decided to disband the club. The members of the organization have decided to disband.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The officers were all part of the force’s controversial SCORPION unit – created to tackle rising crime in the city and disbanded amid national outcry and allegations of pervasive policing abuses following Nichols’ death. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 8 May 2025 At a time in America when our institutional safety nets are being disbanded and the burden to support each other often comes down to individual efforts, Charlie’s struggle feels all the more apt. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 May 2025 Listen to this article San Diego should disband nonprofit groups that oversee city parking districts and require better signage at pay-station parking spots and private lots, the county grand jury says in a new report. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2025 Formed in 1980 in Athens, Georgia, R.E.M. had a three-decade run of multi-platinum sales before amicably disbanding in 2011. Todd Spangler, Variety, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for disband

Word History

Etymology

Middle French desbander, from des- dis- + bande band

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of disband was in 1591

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disband.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disband. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

disband

verb
dis·​band dis-ˈband How to pronounce disband (audio)
: to break up the organization of a group : disperse
disband the club
disbandment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disband

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!