dissected; dissecting; dissects
1
: to separate into pieces : expose the several parts of (something, such as an animal) for scientific examination
dissect an earthworm
dissecting flowers
2
: to analyze and interpret minutely
dissect a problem
: to make a dissection
Examples of dissect in a Sentence
We dissected a frog in science class.
She dissected each point of his argument.
We dissected the poem in class.
The city is dissected by a network of highways.
Recent Examples on the Web
With a career that spanned 70 years, there are no shortage of facts about Frank Lloyd Wright to dissect.
—
Carrie Hojnicki, Architectural Digest, 21 May 2025
Fans have been dissecting their lyrics and digging for easter eggs for months now, and it’s become less about trying to learn the band’s identity and more about engaging in the world Sleep Token is building.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 20 May 2025
Not every actor has the confidence to call it and to dissect where the moment had gone wrong.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Neu, who worked for Payton in personnel in 2006 with the Saints and then again from 2014-15 as New Orleans’ quarterbacks coach, has spent plenty of time the past few months breaking down film of Bryant in an effort to dissect Illinois’ offense.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissect
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Carrie Hojnicki, Architectural Digest, 21 May 2025
Fans have been dissecting their lyrics and digging for easter eggs for months now, and it’s become less about trying to learn the band’s identity and more about engaging in the world Sleep Token is building.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 20 May 2025
Not every actor has the confidence to call it and to dissect where the moment had gone wrong.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Neu, who worked for Payton in personnel in 2006 with the Saints and then again from 2014-15 as New Orleans’ quarterbacks coach, has spent plenty of time the past few months breaking down film of Bryant in an effort to dissect Illinois’ offense.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissect
Cite this Entry
“Dissect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissect. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
dissect
transitive verb
dis·sect
dis-ˈekt; dī-ˈsekt 
ˈdī-ˌ
ˈdī-ˌ
: to cut so as to separate into pieces or to expose the several parts of (as an animal or a cadaver) for scientific examination
specifically
: to separate or follow along natural lines of cleavage (as through connective tissue)
dissect out the regional lymph nodes
a dissecting aneurysm
: to make a medical dissection
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