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
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
After six days of deliberation, a 12-member jury found Patterson guilty, despite her protestations of innocence during days of cross-examination on the witness stand.
—
Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, cautioned that the talks were in the early stages and that no proposal has been finalized.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Senior Justice Department officials have held internal deliberations in recent days over potentially issuing a rule that could restrict transgender individuals from being able to own firearms, two officials familiar with the discussions confirmed Thursday to ABC News.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
After an hour of jury deliberation, Cardi was cleared on allegations of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, as well as negligence and false imprisonment.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deliberation
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Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, cautioned that the talks were in the early stages and that no proposal has been finalized.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Senior Justice Department officials have held internal deliberations in recent days over potentially issuing a rule that could restrict transgender individuals from being able to own firearms, two officials familiar with the discussions confirmed Thursday to ABC News.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
After an hour of jury deliberation, Cardi was cleared on allegations of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, as well as negligence and false imprisonment.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deliberation
Cite this Entry
“Deliberation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deliberation. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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