What does "dissipation" mean?
The act of dissipating or dispersing; a state of dispersion or separation; dispersion; waste.
Dissipation
/ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of dissipating or dispersing; a state of dispersion or separation; dispersion; waste.
- Grammar: dissipation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: profligacy, waste, abandon, abandonment.
- Useful contrasts: potential energy conservation, most kinetic energy conserving, accumulating.
- Usage evidence: The spiritual journey does not consist of arriving at a new destination where a person gains what he did not have, or becomes what he is not. It consists in the dissipation of one's own ignorance concerning one's self and life, and gradual growth of that understanding, which begins a spiritual awakening. The finding of God is coming to one's self.
How to use "dissipation"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dissipation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dissipation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dissipation" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "dissipation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "profligacy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of dissipating or dispersing; a state of dispersion or separation; dispersion; waste. countable, uncountable
"without loss or dissipation of the matter"
- 2 useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly wordnet
- 3 A dissolute course of life, in which health, money, etc., are squandered in pursuit of pleasure; profuseness in immoral indulgence, as late hours, riotous living, etc.; dissoluteness. countable, uncountable
"18th century, Patrick Henry in a parliamentary debate to reclaim the spendthrift from his dissipation and extravagance"
- 4 dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure wordnet
- 5 A trifle which wastes time or distracts attention. countable, uncountable
"Prevented from finishing them [the letters] a thousand avocations and dissipations."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 breaking up and scattering by dispersion wordnet
- 7 A loss of energy, usually as heat, from a dynamic system. countable, uncountable
"They conclude[…] the planet will have a final period of rotation between 56 and 88 days, depending on the assumed form of the dissipation function."
Antonyms
Example
"The spiritual journey does not consist of arriving at a new destination where a person gains what he did not have, or becomes what he is not. It consists in the dissipation of one's own ignorance concerning one's self and life, and gradual growth of that understanding, which begins a spiritual awakening. The finding of God is coming to one's self."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "dissipation"?
Common synonyms include: profligacy, waste, abandon, abandonment, ablation, amusement.
How do you use "dissipation" in a sentence?
The spiritual journey does not consist of arriving at a new destination where a person gains what he did not have, or becomes what he is not. It consists in the dissipation of one's own ignorance concerning one's self and life, and gradual growth of that understanding, which begins a spiritual awakening. The finding of God is coming to one's self.
How do you pronounce "dissipation"?
Pronounced /ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/.
Etymology
From Middle English dissipacion, dissipacioun, from Late Latin dissipātiō. Morphologically dissipate + -ion.