dissipation

UK: /ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌdɪsəˈpeɪʃən/ ,(dis′ə pā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•si•pa•tion /ˌdɪsəˈpeɪʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. the act of wasting one's life in foolish or harmful pleasure:
   Decades of dissipation had a powerful impact on his health.
2. the act of scattering or of being scattered:
   the dissipation of the fog.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•si•pa•tion  (dis′ə pā′shən), n. 

1. the act of dissipating.
2. the state of being dissipated;
   dispersion;
   disintegration.
3. a wasting by misuse:
   the dissipation of a fortune.
4. mental distraction;
   amusement;
   diversion.
5. dissolute way of living, esp. excessive drinking of liquor;
   intemperance.
6. Mechanics [Physics, Mech.] a process in which energy is used or lost without accomplishing useful work, as friction causing loss of mechanical energy.

• Latin dissipātiōn- (stem of dissipātiō), equivalent. to dissipāt(us) (see dissipate) + -iōn- -ion
• 1535–45

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dissipation / ˌdɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/ noun

1. the act of dissipating or condition of being dissipated
2. unrestrained indulgence in physical pleasures, esp alcohol
3. excessive expenditure; wastefulness