Definition of "dissertation" in English

noun

1. A formal exposition of a subject, especially a research paper that students write in order to complete the requirements for a doctoral degree in the US and a non-doctoral degree in the UK; a thesis.

   • write a dissertation
   • write up a dissertation
   • hand in a dissertation
   • complete a dissertation
   • She spent three years writing her doctoral dissertation.
   • The student defended his dissertation successfully.
   • Her dissertation focused on medieval literature.

2. A lengthy lecture on a subject; a treatise; a discourse; a sermon.