consideration

noun

con·​sid·​er·​a·​tion kən-ˌsi-də-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce consideration (audio)
1
: continuous and careful thought
After long consideration he agreed to their requests.
2
a
: a matter weighed or taken into account when formulating an opinion or plan
economic considerations forced her to leave college
b
: a taking into account
in consideration of the enormous difficulties involved
3
: thoughtful and sympathetic regard
his consideration of the needs of others
4
: an opinion obtained by reflection
his considerations favoring one profession over another
5
: esteem, regard
… the family built themselves a large, ugly villa … and became people of consideration.V. S. Pritchett
6
a
: recompense, payment
a consideration paid for legal services
b
: the inducement to a contract or other legal transaction
specifically : an act or forbearance or the promise thereof done or given by one party in return for the act or promise of another
Phrases
in consideration of
: as payment or recompense for
a small fee in consideration of many kind services

Examples of consideration in a Sentence

You should give some serious consideration to your retirement plans. After careful consideration, he agreed to their requests. Show some consideration and turn down that radio. Finding a house close to work was an important consideration for them. Economic considerations forced her to delay her education.
Recent Examples on the Web Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 But Stern’s aversion to speech codes was also shaped by another, more practical consideration. Eyal Press, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024 TikTok mounted an aggressive push to thwart the House’s consideration of the measure over the past week, directly urging U.S. users to contact their representatives and oppose it in a pop-up message. Mariana Alfaro, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Legislation to expand Michigan's Freedom of Information Act to include both the governor's office and state Legislature is advancing, after members of the Senate Oversight Committee voted Wednesday to report bills to the full Senate floor for consideration. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 The larger truth is this: Throughout the private markets, the consideration of environmental and social impact in investment decision-making is a well-accepted and fast-growing practice. Margret Trilli, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Beyond the characters, there’s the show’s consideration of seppuku. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024 Or even just take into consideration those films that have impacted the way people in the here and now get dressed in the mornings? Liam Hess, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 In light of everything that’s been going on its commercial aviation division, the aircraft manufacturer is shifting the driver of bonuses for those workers from financial considerations to safety ones. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consideration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see consider

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of consideration was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near consideration

Cite this Entry

“Consideration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consideration. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

consideration

noun
con·​sid·​er·​ation kən-ˌsid-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce consideration (audio)
1
: careful thought : deliberation
2
: thoughtfulness for other people
3
: something that needs to be considered before deciding or acting
4
: a payment made in return for something

Legal Definition

consideration

noun
con·​sid·​er·​a·​tion
: something (as an act or forbearance or the promise thereof) done or given by one party for the act or promise of another see also contract compare motive

Note: Except in Louisiana, consideration is a necessary element to the creation of a contract. The consideration must result from bargaining by the parties, and must be the thing that induces the mutual promises.

adequate consideration
: a consideration that is reasonably equivalent in value to the thing for which it is given
fair consideration
: a consideration that is reasonable and given in good faith
specifically : something with a reasonably equivalent value that under the laws of fraudulent conveyances is given in good faith in exchange for the transfer of property
good consideration
: a consideration based on a family relationship or natural love and affection
: valuable consideration in this entry

Note: As defined in sense 1, good consideration is the opposite of valuable consideration, though it is sometimes used to mean valuable consideration. Good consideration of the kind denoted by sense 1 cannot create an enforceable contract.

new consideration
: something according to section 6-106 of the Uniform Commercial Code that becomes payable in exchange for the transfer of bulk goods
nominal consideration
: consideration consisting of a nominal amount
past consideration
: something that has already been given or some act that has already been performed that cannot therefore be induced by the other party's thing, act, or promise in exchange and is not truly a consideration
valuable consideration
: a consideration that confers some benefit having pecuniary value on one party to a contract or imposes a detriment having pecuniary value on the other
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