dissolution

noun

dis·​so·​lu·​tion ˌdi-sə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce dissolution (audio)
1
: the act or process of dissolving: such as
a
: separation into component parts
(2)
: death
grew convinced of his friend's approaching dissolutionElinor Wylie
c
: termination or destruction by breaking down, disrupting, or dispersing
the dissolution of the republic
their marriage's dissolution
d
: the dissolving of an assembly or organization
the dissolution of the legislature
e
chemistry : liquefaction
the dissolution of ice
2
: a dissolute or indulgent act or practice

Did you know?

Dissolution is the noun form of dissolve, but it's a much less common word. Still, we refer to the fact that the dissolution of American marriages became far more common in the later 20th century. Or that when India won its independence in 1947, the dissolution of the once-global British empire was all but complete. Or that factors such as crime and drugs might be contributing to the dissolution of contemporary society's moral fabric. A dissolute person is someone in whom all restraint has dissolved, and who now indulges in behavior that shocks decent people.

Examples of dissolution in a Sentence

the dissolution of the marriage the dissolution of old beliefs The treatment is used for the dissolution of kidney stones.
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.
According to a source, the steady stream of comments and questions from HFPA members has spurred requests for documents and verifications that have delayed for months the Attorney General’s office from giving the final signoff to the dissolution of the HFPA. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 July 2025 But here in Trump-loving Northern Kentucky, some local Republicans are irate, viewing the committee dissolution as payback for rebelling against the party establishment. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Tensions between O’Neal, Bryant and Jackson ended with the dissolution of another dynasty after three consecutive championships. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 But the loss of key personnel and the looming dissolution mean that major damage to national readiness has already been done. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dissolution

Word History

Etymology

see dissolute

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissolution was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dissolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissolution. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

dissolution

noun
dis·​so·​lu·​tion ˌdis-ə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce dissolution (audio)
1
: the action or process of dissolving
2
: the ending or breaking up of an assembly or a partnership or corporation

Medical Definition

dissolution

noun
dis·​so·​lu·​tion ˌdis-ə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce dissolution (audio)
: the act or process of dissolving: as
a
: separation into component parts
b
: death sense 1
grew convinced of his friend's approaching dissolutionElinor Wylie

Legal Definition

dissolution

noun
dis·​so·​lu·​tion ˌdi-sə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce dissolution (audio)
: the act or process of ending: as
a
: the termination of an organized body (as a court)
b
: the ending of a partnership relationship caused by the withdrawal of one of the partners from the relationship
c
: the termination of a corporation
involuntary dissolution
: dissolution of a corporation by a court in response to a shareholder petition based on statutorily prescribed grounds
voluntary dissolution
: dissolution of a corporation upon the initiative of the directors and with approval of a certain percentage of the shareholders
d
: the termination of an injunction or stay by court order
e
: the termination of a marriage by divorce

More from Merriam-Webster on dissolution

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