dissipation
noun
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Definition of dissipation
1 : the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated:
a : dispersion, diffusion the dissipation of the smoke the dissipation of enemy forces
b archaic : dissolution, disintegration
c : wasteful expenditure the dissipation of the family's fortune
d : intemperate living especially : excessive drinking
2 : an act of self-indulgence lived a life of dissipation especially : one that is not harmful : amusement
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Synonyms for dissipation
Synonyms
corruption, corruptness, debasement, debauchery, decadence, decadency, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, demoralization, depravity, dissipatedness, dissoluteness, perversion, rakishness, turpitude
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Examples of dissipation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Leave enough space around any electrical appliance to allow for heat dissipation. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "This Why You Should NEVER Plug Space Heaters Into Power Strips," 29 Nov. 2017 In sum, the Receiver must be deeply qualified to do justice and identify, collect, and protect all property subject to the receivership and minimize dissipation of estate assets. — James Freeman, WSJ, "Will Victims of a Ponzi Scheme Now Pay for a Diversity Scheme?," 5 June 2018 The company even crammed additional fins into the radiator, increasing the surface areas and heat dissipation. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Choose your weapon: Asus unveils ROG Strix gaming laptops tuned for shooters or MOBAs," 4 June 2018 Owens’ clients who have had success saw the dissipation of chronic pain as well as a boost in mood and energy. — Abigail Barronian, Outside Online, "Traditional Chinese Medicine Holds the Secret to Heath," 1 June 2018 Weather models suggest that the frontal boundary will move northward through the afternoon, placing the bulk of our immediate region in warmer, unstable air, along with dissipation of low-level clouds. — Jeff Halverson, Washington Post, "‘Widespread damaging winds’, possible derecho, could affect the Washington region this evening," 14 May 2018 No slow dissipation for the Trashers, no aging and decline. — Rich Cohen, The Atlantic, "The Mobster Who Bought His Son a Hockey Team," 14 Apr. 2018 The show uses red dust to convey the dissipation of memories. — Rebecca Farley, refinery29.com, "Let's Talk About The Nutty, Devastating Ending Of Netflix's Tabula Rasa," 26 Mar. 2018 Athenian democracy lasted two centuries, the Republic of Venice a millennium, but both eventually faced decline and dissipation. — Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, "Donald Trump and the Stress Test of Liberal Democracy," 13 Mar. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dissipation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for dissipation
dissipation
noun
English Language Learners Definition of dissipation
: the process of slowly disappearing or becoming less
: the act of using all or a lot of money, time, etc., in a foolish way
: behavior that shows you are interested only in pleasure, money, etc.
See the full definition for dissipation in the English Language Learners Dictionary
dissipation
noun
\
Kids Definition of dissipation
1 : the act of causing to break up and disappear the dissipation of the fog
2 : indulgence in too much pleasure
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