dissection

noun

dis·​sec·​tion dī-ˈsek-shən 

also

di-  ˈdī-ˌsek- 

1

: the act or process of dissecting : the state of being dissected

2

: an anatomical specimen prepared by dissecting

Synonyms

• analysis
• anatomizing
• anatomy
• assay
• breakdown
• deconstruction

Examples of dissection in a Sentence

the book's dissection of the problem of obesity in this country

Recent Examples on the Web

Their reproductive organs have eluded researchers in countless dissections, and observing their mating behavior was impossible—until recently. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Too neat a dissection of a text would drain its blood. —Nicholas Frankovich, National Review, 24 Oct. 2024

Bowel dissection: The surgeon removes a small piece of intestinal tissue (approximately 15 centimeters long) and transfers it to the pelvic floor. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 23 July 2024

Another video, this one with 2.5 million views, manages to blow FromSoftware’s three-minute gameplay trailer out into a 40-minute dissection of each and every look, snarl, or skeleton. —Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dissection

noun

dis·​sec·​tion -ˈsek-shən 

-ˌsek-

1

: the act or process of dissecting : the state of being dissected

2

: a plant or animal or a part of one that has been dissected for study of the anatomy

Medical Definition

dissection

noun

dis·​sec·​tion dis-ˈek-shən; dī-ˈsek-  ˈdī-ˌ 

1

: the act or process of dissecting or separating: as

a

: the surgical removal along natural lines of cleavage of tissues which are or might become diseased

b

: the digital separation of tissues (as in heart-valve operations) compare finger fracture

c

: a pathological splitting or separation of tissue see aortic dissection

2

a

: something (as a part or the whole of an animal) that has been dissected

b

: an anatomical specimen prepared in this way