dissection

noun

dis·​sec·​tion dī-ˈsek-shən 

also

di-  ˈdī-ˌsek- 

1

: the act or process of dissecting : the state of being dissected

2

: an anatomical specimen prepared by dissecting

Synonyms

• analysis
• examination
• investigation

Examples of dissection in a Sentence

the book's dissection of the problem of obesity in this country

Recent Examples on the Web

John died in 2003 at the age of 54 from an aortic dissection that was originally misdiagnosed as a heart attack. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025

There's also a few references that Kang and Kodos are simply hired actors in Treehouse of Horror, normalizing their position in the show and adding light and humor to the aliens, despite their penchant for world domination and evading dissection. —Grace Dean, Space.com, 25 Oct. 2025

Preservé, on the other hand, reimagines the very notion of dissection. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025

For the real monomaniacs, this album has unleashed a bounty of dissection opportunities. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dissection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids Definition

dissection

noun

dis·​sec·​tion -ˈsek-shən 

-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-  ˈdī-ˌ 

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