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

Vertebral Artery Dissection Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is a tear in the inner lining of the vertebral artery, a major artery in the neck that brings blood to the brain and spine. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 17 Jan. 2025

Griff’s Vertigo and Porter Robinson’s Smile arrived within weeks of each other in July, picking up my existential dissection where Luke Hemmings’ Boy left off four months prior. —Rolling Stone, 28 Dec. 2024

Since 2019, Dallas and Tarrant counties had sent about 2,350 unclaimed bodies to the Health Science Center and, of them, more than 830 were selected for dissection and study. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024

The Mariners completed their three-game dissection of New York with a 12-1 romp on Sunday. —Tim Britton, The Athletic, 12 Aug. 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