A dissertation is a long formal piece of writing on a particular subject, especially for a university degree.
He is currently writing a dissertation on the Somali civil war. [+ on]
Synonyms: thesis, essay, discourse, critique More Synonyms of dissertation
dissertation in British English
(ˌdɪsəˈteɪʃən)
noun
1.
a written thesis, often based on original research, usually required for a higher degree
2.
a formal discourse
Derived forms
dissertational (ˌdisserˈtational)
adjective
dissertationist (ˌdisserˈtationist)
noun
dissertation in American English
(ˌdɪsərˈteɪʃən)
noun
a formal and lengthy discourse or treatise on some subject, esp. one based on original research and written in partial fulfillment of requirements for a doctorate
see also thesis
Word origin
LL dissertatio < L dissertare, to discuss, argue, freq. of disserere < dis-, apart + serere, to join: see series
Examples of 'dissertation' in a sentence
dissertation
Students also have to write a dissertation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She decided to convert her university dissertation on leadership into a book on the general.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The course finishes with a research dissertation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
My doctoral dissertation was a study of his privy chamber and its staff.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Its annual prize for the best doctoral dissertation was named after him.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He could have finished it six months earlier but decided to take more time to complete the final dissertation.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Finally, there is a dissertation to write during the summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Such glitches betray the book's origins as a doctoral dissertation.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
I am on my last assignment with just a dissertation to write before graduation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
After successfully completing the taught courses, students undertake a dissertation and complete a small research project on an approved topic.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I hope the placement will give me some experience of their work as well as helping me with research for my dissertation.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She is partly why I feel so compelled to write my dissertation.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Then it was back to Germany to write a dissertation, which would grant him the right to a university appointment.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
dissertation
British English: dissertation NOUN
A dissertation is a long formal piece of writing on a particular subject, especially for a university degree.
He is currently writing a dissertation on the civil war.
American English: dissertation
Brazilian Portuguese: dissertação
Chinese: > 论文学位
European Spanish: tesina
French: mémoire
German: Dissertation
Italian: tesi
Japanese: 学位論文
Korean: > 논문학위
European Portuguese: dissertação
Latin American Spanish: tesina
Chinese translation of 'dissertation'
dissertation
(dɪsəˈteɪʃən)
n(c)
学(學)位论(論)文 (xuéwèi lùnwén) (篇, piān)
(noun)
Definition
a written thesis, usually required for a higher degree
He is currently writing a dissertation.
Synonyms
thesis
He was awarded his PhD for a thesis on industrial robots.
essay
He was asked to write an essay about his home town.
discourse
He responds with a lengthy discourse on deployment strategy.
critique
The book is a feminist critique of Victorian female novelists.
exposition
Her speech was an exposition of her beliefs in freedom and justice.
treatise
a lengthy treatise on prison reform
disquisition
She launched into an authoritative disquisition.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of critique
Definition
a critical essay or commentary
The book is a feminist critique of Victorian female novelists.
Synonyms
essay,
review,
analysis,
assessment,
examination,
commentary,
appraisal,
treatise
in the sense of discourse
Definition
a formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing
He responds with a lengthy discourse on deployment strategy.