Meaning & use

dissertation

noun·Academic

A long, formal piece of writing, based on original research, submitted especially for an advanced academic degree.

See it in a sentence

She spent two years researching and writing her dissertation on medieval trade routes.

His dissertation examined how climate change affects migratory bird patterns in the Arctic.

A note on using this word

In American English a dissertation usually refers to doctoral-level work, while a thesis often refers to a master's project, though usage varies by country.

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