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 of dissection

• 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

The study of it, the dissection of it, and the train ride from Paris to Reims to visit Champagne, home of its eponymous sparkling wine. — Kyle Lucia Wu, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Originally seen as a dissection of the creation of Scientology, The Master is a lot more than that, breaking down leader-follower relationships, trauma, and doubt in ways that only one of our best filmmakers could. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 July 2026

But this moment does remind us why conditions like aortic dissection have become defining examples in conversations about healthcare AI. — Demetri Giannikopoulos, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

About 1 in 5 patients with aortic aneurysm or dissection have a first-degree relative with similar disease, who may have died suddenly. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 15 July 2026

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