dissociation
noun
dis·so·ci·a·tion
(ˌ)di-ˌsō-sē-ˈā-shən 
-shē-
plural dissociations
1
: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: such as
a
: the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents
especially
: one that results from the action of energy (such as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance
b
: the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in dissociative identity disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in schizophrenia) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior
2
: the property inherent in some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) of differentiating into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains
also
: such a strain
Examples of dissociation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It's considered a mild form of dissociation, which is a disconnect between the present moment and your thoughts, feelings, memories, and actions.
—
Sherri Gordon, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Acute instances of dental fear elicit intense psychological and physical reactions such as anxiety, sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, and even dissociation.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Monologues and swordsmiths aside, compartmentalization and dissociation are important concepts to Mulligan.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
Another study from September 2025 compared psychotic symptoms, dissociation and alexithymia (difficulty identifying and expressing emotions) among non-cannabis users, natural cannabis users and synthetic cannabinoid users.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissociation
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Sherri Gordon, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Acute instances of dental fear elicit intense psychological and physical reactions such as anxiety, sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, and even dissociation.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Monologues and swordsmiths aside, compartmentalization and dissociation are important concepts to Mulligan.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
Another study from September 2025 compared psychotic symptoms, dissociation and alexithymia (difficulty identifying and expressing emotions) among non-cannabis users, natural cannabis users and synthetic cannabinoid users.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dissociation
Cite this Entry
“Dissociation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissociation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dissociation
noun
dis·so·ci·a·tion
(ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən
-shē-
: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated
especially
: the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler substances of which it is made
Medical Definition
dissociation
noun
dis·so·ci·a·tion
(ˌ)dis-ˌō-sē-ˈā-shən
-shē-
-shē-
1
: the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: as
a
: the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents
especially
: one that results from the action of energy (as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance
b
: the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in dissociative identity disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in schizophrenia) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior with loss of integrated awareness and autonomous functioning of the separated segments or parts
2
: the process by which some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) differentiate into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains
also
: such a strain
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