dissection

noun

dis·​sec·​tion dī-ˈsek-shən How to pronounce dissection (audio)
also
di- How to pronounce dissection (audio) ˈdī-ˌsek- How to pronounce dissection (audio)
Synonyms of dissectionnext
1
: the act or process of dissecting : the state of being dissected
2
: an anatomical specimen prepared by dissecting

Synonyms of dissection

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Examples of dissection in a Sentence

the book's dissection of the problem of obesity in this country
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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.
Our range includes a meandering cowboy odyssey that sprawls from a nowhere town in Texas to Big Sky country, a poignantly observant memoir from a wild child Dreamlander, and a careful dissection of a situationship set to the rhythms of 1970s Brazil. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 Advertisement Graham, who died earlier this month of an aortic dissection, spent some of his final days in Ukraine on his 10th visit to the country since it was invaded by Russia in 2022. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 28 July 2026 The longtime senator from South Carolina died July 11 following an aortic dissection. — James Powel, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Originally seen as a dissection of the creation of Scientology, The Master is a lot more than that, breaking down leader-follower relationships, trauma, and doubt in ways that only one of our best filmmakers could. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissection

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissection was in 1578

Rhymes for dissection

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Browse Nearby Words

dissecting room
dissection
dissectional
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Cite this Entry

“Dissection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissection. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dissection

noun
dis·​sec·​tion -ˈsek-shən How to pronounce dissection (audio)
-ˌsek-
1
: the act or process of dissecting : the state of being dissected
2
: a plant or animal or a part of one that has been dissected for study of the anatomy

Medical Definition

dissection

noun
dis·​sec·​tion dis-ˈek-shən; dī-ˈsek- How to pronounce dissection (audio) ˈdī-ˌ How to pronounce dissection (audio)
1
: the act or process of dissecting or separating: as
a
: the surgical removal along natural lines of cleavage of tissues which are or might become diseased
b
: the digital separation of tissues (as in heart-valve operations) compare finger fracture
c
: a pathological splitting or separation of tissue see aortic dissection
2
a
: something (as a part or the whole of an animal) that has been dissected
b
: an anatomical specimen prepared in this way

More from Merriam-Webster on dissection

Nglish: Translation of dissection for Spanish Speakers

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