deliberation

noun

de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the act of thinking about or discussing something and deciding carefully : the act of deliberating

After careful deliberation, he decided to study medicine rather than law.

b

: a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (such as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for and against a measure

The jury returned a verdict after a four-hour deliberation.

2

: the quality or state of being deliberate

spoke with clarity and deliberation

worked with deliberation on the painting

deliberative

di-ˈli-bə-ˌrā-tiv 

-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-

adjective

deliberatively adverb

deliberativeness noun

Synonyms of deliberation

• consideration

Examples of deliberation in a Sentence

After hours of deliberation, the council came to a decision.

Jury deliberations lasted two days.

She spoke to the audience with clarity and deliberation.

Recent Examples on the Web

This reconstruction on how the ultimatum came about and who was really behind it is based on conversations with several people familiar with the deliberations who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss delicate negotiations. —Natalia Drozdiak, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025

According to the outlet, Spacey — who turned 64 today — cried as the verdicts were read out after over 12 hours of deliberations by the jury. —Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

The bill requires Bondi to release all unclassified Justice Department records connected to Epstein, Maxwell, their associates, related investigations, internal DOJ deliberations, flight logs, detention records and more. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 22 Nov. 2025

But the brief still paints a damning picture of the company’s internal research and deliberations about issues that have long plagued its platforms. —Charlotte Alter, Time, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deliberacioun, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French deliberacion, borrowed from Latin dēlīberātiōn-, dēlīberātiō, from dēlīberāre "to think about carefully, weigh the pros and cons" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at deliberate entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for deliberation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

deliberation

noun

de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion di-ˌlib-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act of deliberating

2

: a discussion and consideration of the reasons for and against something

3

: the quality of being deliberate : deliberateness

Legal Definition

deliberation

noun

de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the act of deliberating compare premeditation

b

: a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for or against a measure

2

: the quality or state of being deliberate

killing with deliberation

deliberative

dē-ˈli-bə-ˌrā-tiv, -brə-tiv 

adjective