Skip to main content
dissertation

dissertation

47 7.7
A long piece of writing for a university degree that shows the writer's research and results
  • noun
  • /ˌdɪsərˈteɪʃən/
translation icon : tesis
  • My contact with Bill Fox began when I completed my doctoral dissertation at Columbia University.
  • doctoral dissertation
  • write a dissertation
  • dissertation research

Stephen Heimer was a member of my dissertation committee at Yale.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • I conducted a comprehensive study on climate change for my dissertation submitted to the university.

  • "My sister is writing her dissertation on nurturing in the English novel."

    Fiction book (2000)
  • So this is the last part of the dissertation research.

  • I could write my entire dissertation on your view.

  • Well, I, I wrote a dissertation on Shakespeare.

  • And so for my dissertation, I did a study on the effects of mindfulness training on sleep.

  • I did my dissertation on blinking in the brain.

  • I wrote my dissertation on Dolto at the Sorbonne.

  • The manuscript of her dissertation at Columbia was spread out on her narrow cot.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Her dissertation about renewable energy solutions received high praise from the panel of examiners.

Synonyms

thesis
vsdissertation
  • Specialized
81 6.9

A long piece of writing based on research for a university degree

focuses on presenting the author's research and findings for a degree
treatise
vsdissertation
  • Formal
19 8.4

A long, detailed written work that explains a subject

is a research work written to fulfil a degree requirement and show findings
monograph
vsdissertation
  • Specialized
7 9.3

A long, detailed written study about one subject, often by one author

describes degree research written for academic qualification rather than solo study
master's thesis
vsdissertation
4 5.0

A long paper written to get a master's degree

covers degree research broadly, not restricted to master's level
doctoral dissertation
vsdissertation
  • Specialized
3 7.0

A long formal research paper a student writes to get a doctoral degree at university

applies to degree work more generally, not only doctoral level

Compounds

doctoral dissertation
  • Specialized
3 7.0

A long formal research paper a student writes to get a doctoral degree at university

How Long

dissertation
47 7.7
thesis
  • Specialized
81 6.9
monograph
  • Specialized
7 9.3
paper
999 2.8
essay
481 2.8

Surface Forms

dissertation singular
dissertations plural

Morphology

dissertation = dis + sert + ation

Although historically analyzable into Latin elements (dis- + sert + -ation), the components are not productive or transparent to typical learners (dis- here is not the negative 'not' and 'sert' is not a known English base), so the meaning cannot be derived from the parts.

Etymology

Dissertation comes from the Latin word dissertare, which means 'to discuss' or 'to explain' and is the same root as the English word discuss. So, a dissertation is a long, careful discussion of one subject that presents the author's research and findings.