dissociation

noun dis·so·ci·a·tion \ (ˌ)di-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən , -shē- \

Updated on: 27 Feb 2018

Definition of dissociation

1 : the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: such as

a : the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents; especially : one that results from the action of energy (such as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance

2 : the property inherent in some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) of differentiating into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains; also : such a strain

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dissociative

play \(ˌ)di-ˈsō-shē-ˌā-tiv, -sē-, -shə-tiv\ adjective

See dissociation defined for kids

Recent Examples of dissociation from the Web

The next day, the same — a blurry dissociation, a pain between my eyes.

— katy schneider, The Cut, "My Seven-Month Migraine," 31 Jan. 2018
Generally, hypersonic speeds are the point at which the molecules of air that surround the aircraft start to change by breaking apart (dissociation) and/or picking up electrical charge (ionization).

— eric limer, Popular Mechanics, "How Fast Is Hypersonic Speed, Really?," 28 Sep. 2017
With a large population and small force, some dissociation is likely inevitable, yet the abdication of both knowledge and culpability in America today is shocking.

— amy schafer, Slate Magazine, "America increasingly relies on a small group of multigenerational military families to fight its wars. That’s a problem.," 2 Aug. 2017
The dissociation from war could pose a striking challenge to democratic norms.

— amy schafer, Slate Magazine, "America increasingly relies on a small group of multigenerational military families to fight its wars. That’s a problem.," 2 Aug. 2017
Dissociation is an athletic department's way of distancing itself from or cutting ties with former coaches, players, administrators, boosters or others who may be under NCAA scrutiny or who put the university at risk.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "Source: University of Louisville basketball cuts ties with former players over NCAA case," 28 Aug. 2017
But what if chemists stopped trying to eliminate the dissociation effect and embraced their inner shaman?

— rene chun, Los Angeles Magazine, "Inside the Los Angeles Clinic That Uses Ketamine to Treat Depression," 19 June 2017
In PTSD treatment, this self-defense mechanism can make therapy more difficult and even dangerous: The only way to overcome a trauma is to confront unresolved emotions, but clumsy attempts to do so can trigger further dissociation.

— matthew green, Newsweek, "A Radical New Therapy Could Treat the 'Untreatable' Victims of Trauma," 23 Mar. 2017
In Search Of and books on UFOs were commonplace, but the undercurrent was a kind of spiritual dissociation.

— ethan gilsdorf, WIRED, "Memoir Recounts Youthful Quest for Meaning in D&D, Comics, Zeppelin," 27 Jan. 2012

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

First Known Use of dissociation

1611

Medical Dictionary

dissociation

noun dis·so·ci·a·tion \ (ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən , -shē- \

medical Definition of dissociation

1 : the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: as

a : the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents; especially : one that results from the action of energy (as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance

b : the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in multiple personality disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in the schizophrenias) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior with loss of integrated awareness and autonomous functioning of the separated segments or parts

2 : the process by which some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) differentiate into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains; also : such a strain