# dissertation

/ˌdɪsɝˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /dɪsətˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dissertation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. lengthy speech or writing

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

a long, serious speech or piece of writing about a subject.

For teachers: a lengthy and systematic discourse or treatise on a particular topic, not necessarily for academic credit.

- He gave us a long dissertation on why the old laws were better.
- The professor launched into a spontaneous dissertation on the evolution of gothic architecture, ignoring the original topic of the seminar.

## Examples

- She is currently writing her dissertation on climate change.
- After months of gathering data in the field, he spent the entire summer in the library finishing his dissertation.
- The candidate's dissertation offers a compelling re-evaluation of post-war economic policy, synthesising previously unexamined archival materials with modern statistical models to challenge the prevailing historical narrative.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.