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
• anatomizing
• anatomy
• assay
• breakdown
• deconstruction

Examples of dissection in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

These are all original characters, who have become synonymous with their creators’ accounts, and in some cases, are treated like legitimate television characters, subject to the same dissection and discussion. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025

Despite that withdrawal, Ford confirmed the nation would oppose the dissection of stable trade agreements. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025

Lee Chang-dong adopts a novella by Haruki Murakami into a riveting dissection of class and gender in modern Korea. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025

Fugitive scientists used this tool—one typically associated with dissection and racial science—to instead unleash imaginative speculative possibilities for world making and reclaim human skin as an object of study. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 13 Mar. 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