What does "dissolution" mean?

1. (ending an organization) the official end of a group, such as a parliament, a business partnership, or a marriage. 2. (breaking down into parts) the process of something slowly breaking apart or disappearing. 3. (dissolving in liquid) the process of a solid becoming part of a liquid. 4. (immoral behavior) a way of living that is full of bad habits and lacks self-control.

How do you use "dissolution"?

Often used with 'of' to specify the entity being ended.

dissolution

US //ˌdɪsəˈɫuʃən// UK //dˌɪsəlˈuːʃən// dis·so·lu·tion

1 ending an organization (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

the official end of a group, such as a parliament, a business partnership, or a marriage.

the formal termination or dismissal of an organized body, legislative assembly, or legal agreement.

Example

The dissolution of their partnership meant they had to sell the office.

Example

The sudden dissolution of parliament triggered an early election, catching many opposition candidates off guard and unprepared for the campaign.

Usage

Often used with 'of' to specify the entity being ended.
- termination
- disbandment
- divorce
- formation
- establishment
2 breaking down into parts (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the process of something slowly breaking apart or disappearing.

the act of breaking up or decomposing into constituent parts or fragments.

Example

The dissolution of the old empire took many decades to complete.

Example

The gradual dissolution of traditional social structures in the village led to a sense of isolation among the older residents.
- solidification
- unification

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3 dissolving in liquid (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

the process of a solid becoming part of a liquid.

the process by which a solute passes into a solvent to form a solution.

Example

The dissolution of the sugar in the tea happened much faster when it was hot.

Example

The rate of dissolution of the tablet is carefully controlled by its coating to ensure the medicine enters the bloodstream slowly.
- liquefaction
- melting
- precipitation
4 immoral behavior (n.)
C2 Proficiency Literary Formal

a way of living that is full of bad habits and lacks self-control.

the quality of being dissolute; a life characterized by indulgence in pleasure and a lack of morals.

Example

The young man's life of dissolution eventually left him with no money.

Example

The novel depicts the protagonist's slow descent into dissolution, as he abandons his responsibilities for a life of constant partying.
- virtue
- asceticism

Origin

From Middle English dissolucioun, from Old French dissolucion, from Latin dissolūtiō (“a dissolving, destroying, breaking up, dissolution”).