contemplation

noun

con·​tem·​pla·​tion ˌkän-təm-ˈplā-shən 

-ˌtem-

1

a

: concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion

b

: a state of mystical awareness of God's being

2

: an act of considering with attention : study

made the decision after much contemplation

3

: the act of regarding steadily

was lost in quiet contemplation of the scene

4

: intention, expectation

"A considerable crime is in contemplation."

—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Synonyms

• meditation

Examples of contemplation in a Sentence

contemplation of the meaning of life

He goes to the forest to spend time in contemplation of nature.

She was lost in quiet contemplation of the scene.

Recent Examples on the Web

In those days Catholics were expected to fast three times per week from November 11 until Christmas, which sounds like the exact opposite of pleasurable contemplation. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2023

But despite millennia of contemplation and study — and a fairly solid theory of the case — scientists have continued to find inconsistencies, posit alternate possibilities and tweak theories. —Carolyn Y. Johnson, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023

The script incorporates elements of humor, sarcasm and Ho’s contemplation on the impact of COVID-19. —Sophia Sun, Variety, 6 Nov. 2023

Those get moved to the back room for future contemplation. —Alix Strauss, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2023

Khosla’s design inserts within that landscape a pit of contemplation, which is modeled on the Hand of Justice pit designed by Le Corbusier in Chandigarh, in north India. —Curbed, 20 Oct. 2023

Suicidal ideation, often called suicidal thoughts or ideas, is a broad term that describes a range of contemplations, wishes, and preoccupations with death and suicide. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Sep. 2023

Among the exuberant emoting of British teens Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) and their friends, there are quieter moments of contemplation, a contrast to Season 1, as the kids work through challenges in their personal lives and the greater world. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2023

On Thursday, Butler announced her decision after more than two weeks of careful contemplation. —Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English contemplacioun "religious meditation, reflection, consideration," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contemplaciun, borrowed from Latin contemplātiōn-, contemplātiō "act of looking at something, consideration" (Late Latin, "religious meditation"), from contemplāre, contemplārī "to look at fixedly, observe, notice, ponder" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contemplate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing contemplation

• self-contemplation
• in contemplation

• self-contemplation
• in contemplation

Kids Definition

contemplation

noun

con·​tem·​pla·​tion ˌkänt-əm-ˈplā-shən 

ˌkän-ˌtem-

1

: the act of thinking about spiritual things : meditation

2

: the act of looking at or thinking about something steadily

3

: a looking ahead to some future event : anticipation