dissociation

noun

dis·​so·​ci·​a·​tion (ˌ)di-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən 

-shē-

plural dissociations

1

: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: such as

a

: the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents

especially : one that results from the action of energy (such as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance

b

: the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in dissociative identity disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in schizophrenia) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior

2

: the property inherent in some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) of differentiating into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains

also : such a strain

dissociative

(ˌ)di-ˈsō-shē-ˌā-tiv 

-sē-

-shə-tiv

adjective

Examples of dissociation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The side effects of the contaminants might reveal themselves in the body as mineral depletion, heavy metal overload or lethargy (chronic fatigue, leaky gut, hyperactivity, dissociation, anhedonia). —Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

Kidman’s approach, meanwhile, is ethereal dissociation. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024

Then what leads to dissociation is when our brains and nervous systems are failing to navigate between these very different worlds. —Derek Scancarelli, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

Mental health experts say that both dissociation and disassociation − two terms often used interchangeably − are common for those who've been through trauma. —Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dissociation

noun

dis·​so·​ci·​a·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən 

-shē-

: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated

especially : the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler substances of which it is made

Medical Definition

dissociation

noun

dis·​so·​ci·​a·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən  -shē- 

1

: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: as

a

: the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents

especially : one that results from the action of energy (as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance

b

: the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in dissociative identity disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in schizophrenia) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior with loss of integrated awareness and autonomous functioning of the separated segments or parts

2

: the process by which some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) differentiate into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains

also : such a strain