dissipation

noun

dis·​si·​pa·​tion ˌdi-sə-ˈpā-shən 

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

Synonyms of dissipation

• degradation
• corruption
• dissoluteness
• corruptness

Examples of dissipation in a Sentence

Insulation helps prevent the dissipation of heat from houses in the winter.

a movie about the dissipation of a famous heir's fortune

He lived a life of dissipation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of requiring cooling systems that use large volumes of water like those on land, the network would rely on radiative cooling that occurs in space, which allows for the dissipation of heat. —Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026

This tiny snail’s shell combines hardness, toughness and energy dissipation in a way that very few single-phase materials can. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

That places it within the light turbulence range based on eddy dissipation rate measurements. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Second, as the devices shrink energy dissipation increases, posing an insurmountable barrier. —Dina Genkina, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see dissipate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dissipation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

dissipation

noun

dis·​si·​pa·​tion ˌdis-ə-ˈpā-shən 

: the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated