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

In the earliest days of Western science, dissection of both animals and human cadavers laid the groundwork for modern surgery and medicine. —Celia Ford, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025

The dialogue surrounding Kendrick’s performance during the Super Bowl Halftime Show last night, will probably be an ongoing dissection of Black culture, American ideology, identity, and the intentional satire of contextualizing your place in the world as a Black American. —Essence, 10 Feb. 2025

People living with Marfan and related conditions have a roughly 250 times greater chance of experiencing a life-threatening tear in the aorta, called an aortic dissection, vs. the general population. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

Originally seen as a dissection of the creation of Scientology, The Master is a lot more than that, breaking down leader/follower relationships, trauma, and doubt in ways that only one of our best filmmakers could. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dissection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

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