dissects; dissected; dissecting
1
: to cut (a plant or dead animal) into separate parts in order to study it
We dissected a frog in science class.
2
: to study or examine (something) closely and carefully : analyze
She dissected each point of his argument.
We dissected the poem in class.
3
: to divide (something) into parts
Streams dissect the land.
The city is dissected by a network of highways.
Cite this Entry
“Dissect.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dissect. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
