dissolution

noun

dis·​so·​lu·​tion ˌdi-sə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce dissolution (audio)
1
: the act or process of dissolving: such as
a
: separation into component parts
(2)
: death
grew convinced of his friend's approaching dissolutionElinor Wylie
c
: termination or destruction by breaking down, disrupting, or dispersing
the dissolution of the republic
their marriage's dissolution
d
: the dissolving of an assembly or organization
the dissolution of the legislature
e
chemistry : liquefaction
the dissolution of ice
2
: a dissolute or indulgent act or practice

Did you know?

Dissolution is the noun form of dissolve, but it's a much less common word. Still, we refer to the fact that the dissolution of American marriages became far more common in the later 20th century. Or that when India won its independence in 1947, the dissolution of the once-global British empire was all but complete. Or that factors such as crime and drugs might be contributing to the dissolution of contemporary society's moral fabric. A dissolute person is someone in whom all restraint has dissolved, and who now indulges in behavior that shocks decent people.

Examples of dissolution in a Sentence

the dissolution of the marriage the dissolution of old beliefs The treatment is used for the dissolution of kidney stones.
Recent Examples on the Web Webb said the fire district has no issues warranting dissolution. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Logistical, because sparkling T-Mobile Arena is suddenly available starting next year with the dissolution of the Pac-12. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024 This nostalgia seems to stem in part from an underlying fear that the Russian Federation could break up, a final step in the dissolution of the Soviet Union that began in the early Nineties. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 The 1991 power ballad was widely associated with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2024 Following the dissolution of the (controversial) body that formerly awarded the Golden Globes, multiple of tonight’s winners still thanked the HFPA in their speeches. Vulture, 7 Jan. 2024 In the wake of Destiny’s Child’s dissolution in 2005, the aftermath took a distinct turn for Roberson. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 9 Jan. 2024 Although that seems unrealistic given the composition of the governing board, an attorney raised the issue of dissolution last month. Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2023 Oregon State figures to dominate the West Coast Conference in women’s basketball for at least the next two seasons after the dissolution of the current Pac-12. Jeff Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissolution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see dissolute

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissolution was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dissolution

Cite this Entry

“Dissolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissolution. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dissolution

noun
dis·​so·​lu·​tion ˌdis-ə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce dissolution (audio)
1
: the action or process of dissolving
2
: the ending or breaking up of an assembly or a partnership or corporation

Medical Definition

dissolution

noun
dis·​so·​lu·​tion ˌdis-ə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce dissolution (audio)
: the act or process of dissolving: as
a
: separation into component parts
b
: death sense 1
grew convinced of his friend's approaching dissolutionElinor Wylie

Legal Definition

dissolution

noun
dis·​so·​lu·​tion ˌdi-sə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce dissolution (audio)
: the act or process of ending: as
a
: the termination of an organized body (as a court)
b
: the ending of a partnership relationship caused by the withdrawal of one of the partners from the relationship
c
: the termination of a corporation
involuntary dissolution
: dissolution of a corporation by a court in response to a shareholder petition based on statutorily prescribed grounds
voluntary dissolution
: dissolution of a corporation upon the initiative of the directors and with approval of a certain percentage of the shareholders
d
: the termination of an injunction or stay by court order
e
: the termination of a marriage by divorce

More from Merriam-Webster on dissolution

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!