# dissolution

/ˌdɪsəˈɫuʃən/ (US) · /dˌɪsəlˈuːʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. ending an organization

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

### 2. breaking down into parts

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the process of something slowly breaking apart or disappearing.

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

- The dissolution of the old empire took many decades to complete.
- The gradual dissolution of traditional social structures in the village led to a sense of isolation among the older residents.

### 3. dissolving in liquid

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the process of a solid becoming part of a liquid.

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

- The dissolution of the sugar in the tea happened much faster when it was hot.
- The rate of dissolution of the tablet is carefully controlled by its coating to ensure the medicine enters the bloodstream slowly.

### 4. immoral behavior

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

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

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

- The young man's life of dissolution eventually left him with no money.
- The novel depicts the protagonist's slow descent into dissolution, as he abandons his responsibilities for a life of constant partying.

## Examples

- The dissolution of their marriage was finalized last month.
- The sudden dissolution of the parliament led to an immediate call for new national elections.
- Historians often debate whether the dissolution of the empire was an inevitable result of internal decay or a consequence of external pressures.

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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.