dissociation

noun

dis·​so·​ci·​a·​tion (ˌ)di-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce dissociation (audio)
-shē-
plural dissociations
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
b
: the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in dissociative identity disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in schizophrenia) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior
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
dissociative adjective

Examples of dissociation in a Sentence

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 drug has psychedelic properties and can cause dissociation from reality. Kirsten Grind, New York Times, 30 May 2025 In near-misses, a reaction known as electromagnetic dissociation can occur. George Petras, USA Today, 17 May 2025 Lots of hip-hop tracks are meant to evoke the woozy dissociation of opioid use, but this one evokes, instead, the not-quite-pleasurable derangement of disappearing down a social-media rabbit hole. Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2025 This pulse can trigger a process known as electromagnetic dissociation, in which a photon interacts with a nucleus, inducing internal oscillations that eject neutrons and photons. Victoria Corless, Space.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dissociation

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissociation was in 1597

Cite this Entry

“Dissociation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissociation. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

dissociation

noun
dis·​so·​ci·​a·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce dissociation (audio)
-shē-
: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated
especially : the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler substances of which it is made

Medical Definition

dissociation

noun
dis·​so·​ci·​a·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce dissociation (audio) -shē- How to pronounce dissociation (audio)
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 dissociative identity disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in schizophrenia) 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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