contemplation

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noun con·tem·pla·tion \ ˌkän-təm-ˈplā-shən , -ˌtem- \

Definition of contemplation

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

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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 of contemplation from the Web

After the judge denied his request to dismiss charges in August, Hoppy was offered a plea deal known as a family adjournment in contemplation of dismissal.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Bethenny Frankel Wants 'Zero Contact' with Ex Jason Hoppy Once Stalking & Harassment Case Is Resolved," 24 Aug. 2017
In his homily, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, current president of the bishops’ conference, focused on the need for contemplation as a necessary means to such love.

— kathryn jean lopez, National Review, "Enough with ‘That Same Old Love’," 17 July 2017
Over that time, 67.4 percent of cases involving white people resulted in ACD [adjournment in contemplation of dismissal], while 56.7 percent of cases involving black people and 59.2 percent of cases involving Hispanic people ended in ACD.

— kirsten west savali, The Root, "Jim Crow Laws Alive and Well in de Blasio’s NYC: Black and Brown People Still Targeted, Arrested at Higher Rates Than Whites, Report Finds," 14 July 2017
In contrast, Savista is more an oasis for contemplation, with gardens for wandering, surrounded by farmlands and a bird sanctuary.

— adriana velez, Bon Appetit, "This Eggplant Dish Inspired My Best Vacation Decision Ever," 10 July 2017
If the role of the poet laureate is, in part, to be an ambassador, Smith will be a representative for listening, quiet and contemplation.

— carolyn kellogg, The Seattle Times, "New U.S. poet laureate wants to reach out by listening," 2 July 2017
A long-limbed former actor and recovering addict, Beisner carries himself with the serenity of someone used to sitting cross-legged for very long periods of contemplation.

— allison p. davis, The Cut, "Inside the Training Facility Where Lena Dunham Left Her Dog," 26 June 2017
Both North Korea and China featured in his quick-fire bout of contemplation.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "His Presidency in Crisis, Trump Creates His Own Reality," 21 June 2017
Now, as the next morning ran hotly toward noon, Moral Hazard lay down on the fire escape in deep contemplation of how nothing really is new under the sun.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "David Brooks Didn't Do the Reading. Look What Happened.," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contemplation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.