dissipation

American  

[dis-uh-pey-shuhn] / ˌdɪs əˈpeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of dissipating.

2. the state of being 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

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.

Example Sentences

Director Rory Pelsue zeroed in on desire and dissipation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

When the charging source and battery occupy the same site, the system gains dissipation immunity limited to a single sublattice.

From Science Daily • Oct. 24, 2025

They also found that when dissipation surpasses a critical level, charging power experiences a brief but significant boost, overturning the long-held assumption that energy loss is always detrimental.

From Science Daily • Oct. 24, 2025

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

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