dissertation

noun

dis·​ser·​ta·​tion ˌdi-sər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dissertation (audio)
: an extended usually written treatment of a subject
specifically : one submitted for a doctorate
wrote her dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet
dissertational adjective

Examples of dissertation in a Sentence

He wrote his dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This humble dessert’s stature in the Americana canon is an idea that Richard Linklater’s new rom-com-noir–philosophy dissertation, Hit Man, toys with in its final moments. Chris Stanton, Vulture, 14 June 2024 In 2012, after finishing her dissertation, Starbird joined UW and started to look at rumors—her preferred term for what others would often class as misinformation or disinformation. science.org, 30 Oct. 2024 In January, Ackman had helped push Harvard president Claudine Gay out of her job amid accusations of plagiarism, charges that boomeranged on Oxman, who had to apologize for citation errors in her own Ph.D. dissertation. Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024 We’re then transported to the monochrome widescreen of the early ’60s, when brainy, awkward PhD hopeful Johannes (looking much less splotchy) is working on his dissertation, traveling by train with his grumpy mentor Dr. Julius Strathen (Hanns Zischler) to a conference at a ski lodge. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dissertation 

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissertation was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near dissertation

Cite this Entry

“Dissertation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissertation. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

dissertation

noun
dis·​ser·​ta·​tion ˌdis-ər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dissertation (audio)
: a long usually written treatment of a subject
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!