dissociation

noun

dis·​so·​ci·​a·​tion (ˌ)di-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən 

-shē-

plural dissociations

1

: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: such as

a

: the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents

especially : one that results from the action of energy (such as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance

b

: the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in dissociative identity disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in schizophrenia) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior

2

: the property inherent in some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) of differentiating into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains

also : such a strain

dissociative

(ˌ)di-ˈsō-shē-ˌā-tiv 

-sē-, 

-shə-tiv

adjective

Examples of dissociation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jurors heard that after Callan’s birth, Clancy struggled with debilitating depression, sleep deprivation, intense anxiety, psychotic symptoms of dissociation, and intrusive thoughts about harming herself and the kids. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026

People experiencing psychosis, dissociation, tics, and other problems after meditating were asking for help. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Yet the album begins not with catharsis but with dissociation. — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026

These include anxiety, emotional distress, resurfacing of painful memories and dissociation – feeling detached from oneself or one’s surroundings. — Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dissociation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

dissociation

noun

dis·​so·​ci·​a·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən 

-shē-

: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated

especially : the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler substances of which it is made

Medical Definition

dissociation

noun

dis·​so·​ci·​a·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən  -shē- 

1

: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: as

a

: the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents

especially : one that results from the action of energy (as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance

b

: the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in dissociative identity disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in schizophrenia) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior with loss of integrated awareness and autonomous functioning of the separated segments or parts

2

: the process by which some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) differentiate into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains

also : such a strain