dissolution

dissolution — noun

1. an official decision or procedure that brings an organization, company, or legal

1.nounB2
Definition

an official decision or procedure that brings an organization, company, or legal agreement to an end

Example

After the election results were announced, the prime minister asked for the dissolution of parliament.

collocation: dissolution of parliament

The company's dissolution was approved by the board of directors during an emergency meeting.

passive: dissolution was approved by...

Common collocations
  • dissolution of parliament
  • corporate dissolution
  • dissolution of the company
  • dissolution of contract
  • dissolution of partnership
Synonyms
  • termination

    broader term; can apply to contracts, employment, or any ongoing process, not just organizations

  • disbandment

    specifically refers to a group of people separating rather than a legal entity ending

Antonyms
  • formation

    the creation or establishment of an organization or agreement

Grammar Patterns

the dissolution of [organization/agreement]

Usage Note

Frequently followed by 'of' to specify what is being ended. Most common in legal, political, and corporate contexts. 'Dissolution of parliament' is a fixed phrase in political systems where the head of state can end a parliamentary session and call a new election.

Common Mistakes

The dissolution of the meeting was at 5 PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 5 PM.
'dissolution' refers to ending an institution or formal agreement, not an event or gathering.

2. a legal or mutual decision that puts an end to a marriage, romantic relationship

2.nounB2
Definition

a legal or mutual decision that puts an end to a marriage, romantic relationship, or close personal partnership

Example

After years of separation, Layla and Henrik agreed to the dissolution of their marriage.

collocation: dissolution of marriage

The dissolution of their business partnership was handled by lawyers on both sides.

legal register: handled by lawyers

Common collocations
  • dissolution of marriage
  • marriage dissolution
  • dissolution of partnership
  • dissolution of a relationship
Synonyms
  • divorce

    more specific; only applies to marriage, not other relationships

  • breakup

    informal term for ending any romantic relationship

  • separation

    can be temporary; dissolution implies a final end

Antonyms
  • union

    the joining together of two people in marriage or partnership

Grammar Patterns

the dissolution of [marriage/partnership]

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 applies specifically to personal relationships and marriages, while sense 1 applies to organizations and legal agreements. In legal contexts, 'dissolution of marriage' is the formal term for divorce, often used in court documents and separation agreements.

Common Mistakes

We decided on dissolution because we stopped loving each other.
We decided on a divorce / to end the relationship.
'dissolution' is a formal legal term; use 'divorce' or 'breakup' in everyday conversation about personal relationships.

3. the process by which a solid substance mixes evenly into a liquid, or the gradua

3.nounC1
Definition

the process by which a solid substance mixes evenly into a liquid, or the gradual breakdown of a material into smaller pieces or particles

Example

The dissolution of the sugar cube in hot tea took only a few seconds.

everyday example of dissolution

Scientists measured the dissolution rate of calcium tablets in stomach acid during the experiment.

scientific context: dissolution rate

Common collocations
  • dissolution rate
  • chemical dissolution
  • drug dissolution
  • dissolution of [substance] in [liquid]
  • gradual dissolution
Synonyms
  • dissolving

    more common everyday word; 'dissolution' is the formal noun form

  • decomposition

    implies breaking down into chemical components, not necessarily in liquid

Antonyms
  • precipitation

    the process by which a solid forms from a liquid solution; opposite of dissolution

Grammar Patterns

the dissolution of [substance] in [liquid]

Usage Note

Common in chemistry and pharmacology. 'Dissolution rate' is a technical term describing how quickly a substance dissolves. Distinguish from 'melting' (a solid becomes liquid by heat) — dissolution involves mixing with a liquid, not changing temperature.

Common Mistakes

The dissolution of ice happens when it gets warm.
The melting of ice happens when it gets warm.
'dissolution' means mixing with a liquid (e.g., sugar in water); 'melting' means a solid turning to liquid through heat.

4. a pattern of living that involves excessive drinking, uncontrolled pleasure-seek

4.nounC1
Definition

a pattern of living that involves excessive drinking, uncontrolled pleasure-seeking, and a lack of moral restraint

Example

The novel describes a wealthy man whose life of dissolution leads to his ruin.

literary register: life of dissolution

Heather's family watched with sorrow as she sank into a life of dissolution and debt.

collocation: sank into dissolution

Common collocations
  • life of dissolution
  • moral dissolution
  • dissolution and corruption
Synonyms
  • debauchery

    stronger emphasis on sexual excess; more graphic and forceful in tone

  • decadence

    focuses on moral decline as part of a broader cultural or personal decay, not just behavior

Antonyms
  • restraint

    self-control and discipline, especially in matters of pleasure

  • temperance

    moderation, especially in drinking alcohol

Grammar Patterns

a life of dissolution

dissolution [as abstract quality]

Usage Note

Formal or literary register. Typically describes a sustained pattern of behavior rather than a single act. Often carries strong moral judgment. Rare in everyday conversation — words like 'wild living' or 'debauchery' are more common in informal contexts.

Common Mistakes

He spent the weekend in dissolution.
He spent the weekend drinking and partying.
'dissolution' describes a long-term lifestyle, not a short period of fun or indulgence.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While 'termination' can apply to any ongoing process (a contract, employment, a subscription), 'dissolution' is reserved for formal organizations and agreements that were deliberately constituted. 'Disbandment' focuses on the separation of a group of people — a sports team disbands, but a company undergoes dissolution because it is a legal entity, not just a collection of individuals. 'Annulment' goes further than dissolution: it declares that an agreement (especially a marriage) never had legal force, whereas dissolution acknowledges that the entity existed and is now being ended. For example, a parliament is dissolved before an election, not terminated or annulled. A company's assets are sold off during dissolution, while disbandment would imply members simply walked away.

terminationdisbandmentannulmentdissolution ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • dissolution of parliament
  • dissolution of marriage
  • dissolution of partnership
  • life of dissolution
  • dissolution rate

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'dissolutio' (loosening, destruction), from 'dissolvere' (to loosen, break apart) — 'dis-' meaning 'apart' and 'solvere' meaning 'to loosen'. The physical meaning (a solid mixing into a liquid) entered English in the 14th century. The legal sense (ending an organization or marriage) developed in the 15th–16th centuries. The moral sense (a life of self-indulgence) appeared later, drawing on the idea of a person being 'loosened' from moral constraints.