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)
1
: the act or process of dissecting : the state of being dissected
2
: an anatomical specimen prepared by dissecting

Examples of dissection in a Sentence

the book's dissection of the problem of obesity in this country
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.
Their reproductive organs have eluded researchers in countless dissections, and observing their mating behavior was impossible—until recently. Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 Too neat a dissection of a text would drain its blood. Nicholas Frankovich, National Review, 24 Oct. 2024 Bowel dissection: The surgeon removes a small piece of intestinal tissue (approximately 15 centimeters long) and transfers it to the pelvic floor. Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 23 July 2024 Another video, this one with 2.5 million views, manages to blow FromSoftware’s three-minute gameplay trailer out into a 40-minute dissection of each and every look, snarl, or skeleton. Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 17 June 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near dissection

Cite this Entry

“Dissection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissection. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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
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

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