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.
In navigating Barnes’s approach to African art, Gopnik relies heavily on the scholarship of Alison Boyd, author of a dissertation on Barnes and the director of research and interpretation at the Barnes Collection. Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 12 Mar. 2025 Someone has surely written a dissertation about the postcolonial symbolism of an animal with another animal’s tongue. Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025 His doctoral dissertation, completed at George Washington University, focused on the role of students as change agents within higher education. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2025 Brian wrote his dissertation about maintaining racial equity and equality in the face of gentrification. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 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 17 Mar. 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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