dissipation

American  

[dis-uh-pey-shuhn] / ˌdɪs əˈpeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of dissipating.

2. the state of being dissipated; dissipated; dispersion; disintegration.

3. a wasting by misuse.

   the dissipation of a fortune.

4. mental distraction; amusement; diversion.

5. dissolute way of living, especially excessive drinking of liquor; intemperance.

6. Physics, Mechanics. a process in which energy is used or lost without accomplishing useful work, as friction causing loss of mechanical energy.

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dissipation British  

/ ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of dissipating or condition of being dissipated

2. unrestrained indulgence in physical pleasures, esp alcohol

3. excessive expenditure; wastefulness

4. amusement; diversion

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dissipation Scientific  

/ dĭs′ə-pā′shən /

1. The loss of energy from a physical system, most often in the form of heat.

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Etymology

Origin of dissipation

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin dissipātiōn-, stem of dissipātiō; equivalent to dissipate + -ion

Example Sentences

Director Rory Pelsue zeroed in on desire and dissipation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

So the researchers posit that the only possible scenario is that fast dissipation of the ash cloud allowed for very quick cooling, ensuring that the shards were vitrified before being buried.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2025

What's more, the designs that are deployed tend to have a low wave dissipation per unit volume of material used.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2024

However, quantum superfluids can have turbulence, resulting in a quantum quandary: Turbulence in fluids requires dissipation, so how can superfluid turbulence experience dissipation without viscosity?

From Science Daily • Jan. 30, 2024

The discovery of his daughter restored his former joviality and the pleasure of being with her was slowly leading him away from dissipation.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Related Words

• diffusion
• wastage