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

Now: Capturing the Self in Portraiture Work from LACMA’s collection by artists including Laura Aguilar, Kwame Brathwaite, Kalli Arte Collective, Roger Shimomura, Cindy Sherman, Rodrigo Valenzuela and June Wayne focus on the contemplation of their physicality in a variety of modes. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024

Not long before the current contemplation of replacing City Hall moved forward, another possible alternative seemingly came out of the blue. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024

Like him, the performers know firsthand the power of music, dance, theater and other art forms to uplift and unify, entertain and enlighten, create joy and invite contemplation. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2024

There are moments of abject fear as the unbreakable Gee (Feodor Chin) is badgered and belittled by his interrogators, but also moments of sublime contemplation when a young man chisels a poem into the wall to mark his 17 months of suffering on the island. —Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024

Rather than action figures, Dog and Robot are figures of contemplation. —Armond White, National Review, 6 Mar. 2024

After completing those two steps, a contemplation screen will appear as Song Psychic finds the perfect song to answer your question. —Chantal Waldholz, Glamour, 29 Feb. 2024

And remaining stuck firmly in the contemplation phase. —Meirav Devash, Allure, 29 Feb. 2024

This method allowed for a dynamic interplay of creation and contemplation, balancing his time between painting and engaging with various forms of literature and media. —Zenger News, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024

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

• in contemplation
• self-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