dissipation

noun

dis·​si·​pa·​tion ˌdi-sə-ˈpā-shən 

1

: the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated:

a

: dispersion, diffusion

the dissipation of the smoke

the dissipation of enemy forces

b

archaic : dissolution, disintegration

c

: wasteful expenditure

the dissipation of the family's fortune

d

: intemperate living

especially : excessive drinking

2

: an act of self-indulgence

lived a life of dissipation

especially : one that is not harmful : amusement

Synonyms

• abjection
• corruption
• corruptness
• debasement
• debauchery
• decadence
• decadency
• degeneracy
• degenerateness
• degeneration
• degradation
• demoralization
• depravity
• dissipatedness
• dissoluteness
• libertinage
• libertinism
• perversion
• pervertedness
• rakishness
• turpitude

Examples of dissipation in a Sentence

Insulation helps prevent the dissipation of heat from houses in the winter.

a movie about the dissipation of a famous heir's fortune

He lived a life of dissipation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The device also features thermal architecture that works with the Mac mini 2004 using air ducts and a metal casing that maximizes heat dissipation from the SSD and its controller. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

The tonal shift goes from melancholy dissipation to ruinously adventurous. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

What gives diamond this ability for heat dissipation? —New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2024

Just as importantly, this enables building complex models of the operating environment as well as other robots without burdening the on-robot processing, which is typically constrained by cost, power consumption, heat dissipation and other constraints. —Florian Pestoni, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see dissipate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dissipation

noun

dis·​si·​pa·​tion ˌdis-ə-ˈpā-shən 

: the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated