dissipation
Americannoun
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the act of dissipating.
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the state of being dissipated; dispersion; disintegration.
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a wasting by misuse.
the dissipation of a fortune.
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mental distraction; amusement; diversion.
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dissolute way of living, especially excessive drinking of liquor; intemperance.
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Physics, Mechanics. a process in which energy is used or lost without accomplishing useful work, as friction causing loss of mechanical energy.
noun
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the act of dissipating or condition of being dissipated
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unrestrained indulgence in physical pleasures, esp alcohol
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excessive expenditure; wastefulness
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amusement; diversion
Etymology
Origin of dissipation
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin dissipātiōn-, stem of dissipātiō; equivalent to dissipate + -ion
Explanation
Dissipation is the act of breaking up and scattering or spreading widely. With the dissipation of the clouds, you could enjoy the sunny afternoon — if only you didn't have to work. Dissipation also refers to wasteful or thoughtless spending or activity. Your habit of taking old clothes and appliances to the dump instead of donating them to charities is a kind of dissipation. Dissipation can also mean a life of indulgence, in which health and wealth are squandered in the pursuit of pleasure. Your uncle's life of dissipation, throwing money at wine and women, will ultimately only bring heartache.
Vocabulary lists containing dissipation
100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"
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Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress
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The Bluest Eye
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Electrons normally repel each other, but in superconductors they form pairs; this pair formation is the key to a superconductor's ability to conduct electricity without dissipation," said Lau.
From Science Daily ● May 29, 2026
Larger radiators and the gear that supports heat dissipation would add mass to each satellite, and big radiators can be pricey because they have more ways to break, according to Rao.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
Director Rory Pelsue zeroed in on desire and dissipation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026
Additional challenges such as environmental noise, dissipation, and structural disorder further erode stability and storage efficiency.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2025
It had long been known that the Earth radiated appreciable amounts of heat–that was apparent to anyone who went down a coal mine–but there wasn’t any way of estimating the rate of dissipation.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
