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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The moments of joy and lightness are interspersed with shots of Williams in deep contemplation. Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 7 Aug. 2025 The youth event in Rome – part of the Catholic Church’s jubilee celebrations – saw Leo both embrace the young people’s enthusiasm but ensure moments of quiet contemplation. Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025 This is coming after a period of rest, contemplation, and confusion about where your life is headed. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025 There are numerous preserves for contemplation and brushes with wildlife, such as the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy; and orchards, such as March Farm in Bethlehem, for apple and blueberry picking. Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for contemplation

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

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Cite this Entry

“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplation. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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

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