contemplation

noun

con·​tem·​pla·​tion ˌkän-təm-ˈplā-shən How to pronounce contemplation (audio)
-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

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 Just watching Sanada’s Toranaga in deep contemplation was top-notch action. Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2024 Mercury enters Virgo today, inspiring contemplation and self-reflection. USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2024 This innovative approach reflected Hammons’s ethos of using minimalism to provoke deep engagement and contemplation. Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 7 Aug. 2024 Teens with an immortal mind-set don’t contemplate the power of setbacks and losses, but hearing about the nature of the scars on my body rattles them into contemplation. Jackie Speier, Washington Post, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for contemplation 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contemplation.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of contemplation was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near contemplation

Cite this Entry

“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplation. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

contemplation

noun
con·​tem·​pla·​tion ˌkänt-əm-ˈplā-shən How to pronounce contemplation (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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