meditate

verb

med·​i·​tate ˈme-də-ˌtāt How to pronounce meditate (audio)
meditated; meditating

intransitive verb

1
: to engage in contemplation or reflection
He meditated long and hard before announcing his decision.
2
: to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness

transitive verb

1
: to focus one's thoughts on : reflect on or ponder over
He was meditating his past achievements.
2
: to plan or project in the mind : intend, purpose
He was meditating revenge.
meditator noun
Choose the Right Synonym for meditate

ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate mean to consider or examine attentively or deliberately.

ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption.

ruminated on past disappointments

Examples of meditate in a Sentence

He meditates for an hour every morning. I've been meditating a career change for months.
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.
The idea of going into a quiet space, or the countryside, or meditating in a sanctuary can also be really destabilizing. Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2025 This is the perfect time to get quiet and journal, meditate or engage in some deep self-reflection. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 May 2025 Cardinals from around the world have been gathered at the Vatican since early Wednesday morning to confer, meditate and pray before casting their ballots to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025 The books on this list employ both modes: Some offer intriguing glimpses into faraway places or striking journeys; others meditate on the beauty to be found in a backyard. Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for meditate

Word History

Etymology

Latin meditatus, past participle of meditari, frequentative of medēri to remedy — more at medical

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of meditate was in 1560

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meditate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meditate. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

meditate

verb
med·​i·​tate ˈmed-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce meditate (audio)
meditated; meditating
1
a
: to consider or think over carefully : contemplate
b
: to spend time in quiet thinking : reflect
2
: intend, plan
meditate a trip abroad

More from Merriam-Webster on meditate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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