dissipation

noun

dis·​si·​pa·​tion ˌdi-sə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce dissipation (audio)
Synonyms of dissipationnext
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
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The cooling technology is much in need of the hour for AI, as traditional heat-dissipation and power-supply architectures are rapidly approaching their physical limits. Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026 Hu adds that θ-phase tantalum nitride could be especially valuable as artificial intelligence gains even more widespread use and heat dissipation becomes a data-center bottleneck. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 11 Apr. 2026 The aluminum build is lightweight, sturdy, and handles heat dissipation well, and the 240Hz WQXGA display is bright and colorful, with crisp resolution and good contrast. K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026 Experts question the feasibility and timeline, citing technological challenges including radiation-resistant chips, heat dissipation and communication obstacles. Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissipation

Word History

Etymology

see dissipate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissipation was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dissipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissipation. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

dissipation

noun
dis·​si·​pa·​tion ˌdis-ə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce dissipation (audio)
: the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated

More from Merriam-Webster on dissipation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster