noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/
rhymes with -eɪʃən
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:D IH2 S IH0 P EY1 SH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The act of dissipating or dispersing; a state of dispersion or separation; dispersion; waste.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A dissolute course of life, in which health, money, etc., are squandered in pursuit of pleasure; profuseness in immoral indulgence, as late hours, riotous living, etc.; dissoluteness.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
18th century, Patrick Henry in a parliamentary debate to reclaim the spendthrift from his dissipation and extravagance
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A trifle which wastes time or distracts attention.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A loss of energy, usually as heat, from a dynamic system.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
if the effort brings no compensating gain it is a waste
mindless dissipation of natural resources
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: waste, wastefulness
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: activity
Narrower terms: boondoggle, waste of effort, waste of energy, waste of material, waste of money, waste of time, extravagance, prodigality, lavishness, highlife, high life, squandering
6
noun
Meaning 6
dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
