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 adjective

Examples of dissertation in a Sentence

He wrote his dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet.
Recent Examples on the Web We’re then transported to the monochrome widescreen of the early ’60s, when brainy, awkward PhD hopeful Johannes (looking much less splotchy) is working on his dissertation, traveling by train with his grumpy mentor Dr. Julius Strathen (Hanns Zischler) to a conference at a ski lodge. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024 Working on his doctoral dissertation at Georgia Tech, Dr. Michael Lorence did a case study analysis of six organizations that used Topgrading and concluded that the CEOs and HR heads fully endorse the method. Brad Smart and Chris Mursau, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 The question distinguishes the essay from the less adventurous forms of expository prose—the dissertation, the polemic, the article, the campaign speech, the tract, the op-ed, the arrest warrant, the hotel bill. Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Aug. 2024 Decades later, Reykdal’s interviews with a small circle of those involved in the long-ago deaths gets smaller when one of them is killed, and his dissertation morphs into an all-consuming investigation. Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dissertation 

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

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 31 Oct. 2024.

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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