disquisition

American  

[dis-kwuh-zish-uhn] / ˌdɪs kwəˈzɪʃ ən /

noun

1. a formal discourse or treatise in which a subject is examined and discussed; dissertation.

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disquisition British  

/ ˌdɪskwɪˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. a formal written or oral examination of a subject

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Other Word Forms

• disquisitional adjective

Etymology

Origin of disquisition

1595–1605; < Latin disquīsītiōn- (stem of disquīsītiō ), equivalent to disquīsīt ( us ) (past participle of disquīrere to investigate; dis- dis- ¹ + quaerere to seek, ask) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Disquisition is a long and elaborate word to describe a long and elaborate analysis of a given topic. If you launch into a disquisition about toe jam at a party, you'll soon be talking to a wall. If you write a paper that looks at every single aspect of a topic, that essay can be called a disquisition. If you have a strong interest in something, chances are your friends and family have heard you give passionate disquisitions on it. A disquisition is an incredibly thorough reporting on a topic. Think of it as a discourse or a discussion of an inquisition or long investigation.

Example Sentences

Recently, at a candidates forum outside Dallas, Larry Brock expressed the following sentiments as part of a lengthy disquisition on the Muslim faith.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Ben manages to turn this mild inquiry into a long disquisition on her selfishness and disdain for his work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

The judges said: "A novel about class ascension and a man who is remarkably detached from his desires, and a disquisition on the art of being alive. It is also an absolute page-turner."

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

At one point, Santos launched into a disquisition about how, well, the world’s a stage.

From Slate • Nov. 30, 2023

What we got, however, was an elaborate disquisition on the history and architecture of the Capitol and a look at the official china patterns produced for the Senate, followed by a polite and chitchatty lunch.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama