dissection

IPA/dɪˈsekʃn/
KK[daɪsˈɛkʃən]IPA/dɪˈsekʃn/

dissection — noun

  • dissectionsingular
  • dissectionsplural

1. the process of cutting a dead creature, plant, or organ open in order to examine

1.nounC1
Definition

the process of cutting a dead creature, plant, or organ open in order to examine the structures inside

Example

Kian's first dissection in biology class was of a worm.

The medical students performed a careful dissection of a human arm.

collocation: perform a dissection

Common collocations
  • perform a dissection
  • carry out a dissection
  • anatomical dissection
  • frog / worm / heart dissection
Synonyms
  • autopsy

    restricted to human bodies examined to find the cause of death; dissection is broader (animals, plants, organs)

  • vivisection

    different in that the subject is alive; dissection implies the specimen is dead

Grammar Patterns

dissection of + noun

Common Mistakes

The surgeon performed a dissection on the patient.
The surgeon performed a dissection on the cadaver / a dead body.
Dissection is always performed on a dead specimen, never on a living person.

2. a very thorough and careful examination of something, such as an idea, a piece o

2.nounC1
Definition

a very thorough and careful examination of something, such as an idea, a piece of writing, or a situation, in which every part is looked at separately

Example

Nikhil's dissection of the poem showed how each line related to the main idea.

figurative: dissection of [text]

The journalist wrote a sharp dissection of the government's new education policy.

collocation: sharp dissection

Common collocations
  • thorough dissection
  • careful dissection
  • sharp dissection
  • critical dissection
Synonyms
  • analysis

    a broader and more neutral term; dissection suggests a more systematic, piece-by-piece taking apart, often with a critical intent

  • scrutiny

    focuses on very close observation rather than separating into parts; less methodical than dissection

  • examination

    a general look-over that may not involve separating components; dissection always implies breaking into parts

  • breakdown

    more informal; dissection has a more analytical and academic tone

Antonyms
  • synthesis

    the opposite process of combining parts into a whole, rather than taking them apart

Grammar Patterns

dissection of + noun

Usage Note

Common in journalism and academic writing, where it describes a close, often critical piece-by-piece examination. Works naturally with ideas, texts, systems, and policies, but less commonly with personal relationships.

Common Mistakes

She gave a dissection of his personality.
She gave a dissection of his argument / the novel / the policy.
The figurative sense sounds most natural with abstract systems, texts, or ideas, not with personal traits.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe close study, but dissection stands apart because it suggests a methodical separation into individual components — like a biologist cutting apart a specimen. Analysis is the broadest, most neutral term and applies to any systematic study (numbers, data, texts). Scrutiny emphasizes intense, watchful attention, often looking for flaws or hidden details. Examination is a general close look that does not guarantee systematic separation. Breakdown is informal and often used for simple step-by-step explanations rather than academic critique. For example, a literary critic writes a 'dissection of the novel' (pointing out how each chapter functions), while a mechanic gives a 'breakdown of the repair costs.'

analysis ↗scrutiny ↗examination ↗breakdown ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • dissection of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Dissection comes from the Latin verb 'dissecare' — made up of 'dis-' (apart) and 'secare' (to cut). The literal meaning of cutting a body open for study goes back to ancient Greek medicine. By the 1600s, English writers began using it more broadly for any careful piece-by-piece examination of ideas or texts.