dissertation

noun

dis·​ser·​ta·​tion ˌdi-sər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dissertation (audio)
: an extended usually written treatment of a subject
specifically : one submitted for a doctorate
wrote her dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet
dissertational
ˌdi-sər-ˈtāsh-nəl How to pronounce dissertation (audio)
-ˈtā-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Example Sentences

He wrote his dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet.
Recent Examples on the Web Jolynn McCray, a Triton instructor who has completed her dissertation on leadership, is the keynote speaker for this event in Triton College Library, according to the school’s website. Pioneer Press Staff, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2023 After completing his dissertation on the Gulf sturgeon, a close cousin of the Atlantic sturgeon, at North Carolina State University in 2001, Fox landed at Delaware State and began studying the Delaware estuary. Andrew S. Lewis, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023 The Straubs moved to Ireland in 1969 so that Mr. Straub could pursue a doctorate in English at University College Dublin, but instead of finishing his dissertation (originally about D.H. Clay Risen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2022 Her dissertation, Sculptured Mankala Gameboards of Sub-Saharan Africa, was published as a book in two volumes by the British Museum. Dallas News, 2 May 2022 Her dissertation,The Elimination of Waste in Teaching, adapted the psychological aspects of scientific management to classroom teaching. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2021 And a PhD dissertation, from the early 1990s, detailed excavations of a Turkana MSA site, simply called GaJj17. Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2020 Her book, which was published in 2005 by Texas A&M University Press, began as her doctoral dissertation for Texas Christian University. Dallas News, 17 Mar. 2022 What was the topic of your dissertation and what was your early research about? Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dissertation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissertation was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near dissertation

Cite this Entry

“Dissertation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissertation. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

dissertation

noun
dis·​ser·​ta·​tion ˌdis-ər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dissertation (audio)
: a long usually written treatment of a subject
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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