contemplation

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

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

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

McDonald's team receives more than 1,000 nominations each year that require six months of contemplation.

— amber elliott, Houston Chronicle, "Six Houston socials listed among nation's 100 'best party hosts' by the Salonniere," 4 Apr. 2018
Though your instincts will be heightened, this lunation is best for internal contemplation and reflection.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What April's Aries Horoscope Means for You," 29 Mar. 2018
The manner of the defeat to City and Arsenal's lack of any challenge in the Premier League has led to contemplation from the club's hierarchy.

— SI.com, "German Journalist Dismisses Reports of Arsenal Interest in Germany Coach Joachim Low," 27 Feb. 2018
In most good ones, there’s a warm afterglow of emotions and contemplation reminiscent of the finest psychotropics.

— james lipman, Car and Driver, "2018 Porsche 911 GT3 PDK Automatic," 23 Mar. 2018
Deep contemplation in these efforts will help when Mercury Retrograde starts on Thursday.

— colin bedell, Cosmopolitan, "Your Horoscope for the Week of March 19," 18 Mar. 2018
Differentiating between the favorites and the also-rans in the District 24-6A baseball race can involve extended hours of contemplation.

— ted dunnam, Houston Chronicle, "Baseball: District 24-6A play unfolds Tuesday," 12 Mar. 2018
The contemplation of writing and the loss of integrity in our literary life form the heart of the novel.

— lori soderlind, New York Times, "For the Love of a Dog," 9 Mar. 2018
The opening Impromptu for solo violin weds contemplation and fantasy, and at seven minutes in length, is a recital-ready gem.

— jeremy eichler, BostonGlobe.com, "Sparkling Mozart, spellbinding Donizetti, and dancing Bach," 8 Mar. 2018

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.