dissertation

noun

dis·​ser·​ta·​tion ˌdi-sər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dissertation (audio)
: an extended usually written treatment of a subject
specifically : one submitted for a doctorate
wrote her dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet
dissertational adjective

Examples of dissertation in a Sentence

He wrote his dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yu earned her doctorate in 2017 with an award for best dissertation. Steve Nadis, Wired News, 1 June 2025 Today, the doctoral dissertation that Robert Prevost produced in the mid-1980s is one of the most detailed glimpses into the early intellectual life of the man who became Pope Leo XIV this month. Ruth Graham, New York Times, 22 May 2025 She was accused of plagiarizing parts of her 2012 book and doctoral dissertation at Columbia University. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 12 May 2025 There are plenty of interviews out there on podcasts and video of many of these tech CEOs and billionaires who are very comfortable today giving political dissertations outside of their work, and that I'm really fascinated by. H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dissertation

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissertation was in 1651

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Cite this Entry

“Dissertation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissertation. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

dissertation

noun
dis·​ser·​ta·​tion ˌdis-ər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dissertation (audio)
: a long usually written treatment of a subject

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