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

In places such as the United Nations, simultaneous interpreters have long worked behind soundproof glass, inconspicuous yet indispensable, enabling multilingual deliberation for people who may scarcely register their presence. —Ross Benjamin, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025

After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury found Wuornos guilty of first-degree murder. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

Throughout budget deliberations, council members shared concerns about the timeline of the budget roll-out that allowed for little time to create amendments, causing clashes between the city's finance committee and the mayor's office. —Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025

On Wednesday, after significant deliberation and pressure, the couple decided to fire McKnight. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 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