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.
Silverman’s placement of his work is akin to how a Zen gardener places his rocks, contextualizing the work as worthy of contemplation. Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025 In a voice that seemed a bit husky, Combs answered affirmatively that he had been informed about his rights and after much contemplation decided not to testify in his own defense. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025 In its own way, the film is also a contemplation of recollections, memory and post-Yugoslav reality. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025 These works demand contemplation, offering not just spectacle but urgent commentary. Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 16 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplation. Accessed 1 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

More from Merriam-Webster on contemplation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!