premeditation

noun pre·med·i·ta·tion \ (ˌ)prē-ˌme-də-ˈtā-shən \

|Updated on: 2 Aug 2018

Definition of premeditation

: an act or instance of premeditating; specifically : consideration or planning of an act beforehand that shows intent to commit that act

Recent Examples of premeditation from the Web

Dedrick Williams, 22, of Pompano Beach, was booked into Broward’s jail shortly after 11:30 p.m Wednesday on charges of murder without premeditation, violation of probation and driving without a valid license, records show.

— doug phillips, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Suspect arrested in shooting death of rapper XXXTentacion," 21 June 2018
The first arrest in this investigation was made on June 21 when Florida police pulled over Dedrick Williams, 22, and charged him with first-degree murder without premeditation, a probation violation and with failing to have a valid driver's license.

— NBC News, "Police make second arrest in rapper XXXTentacion's murder," 11 July 2018
The 22-year-old is being charged with first-degree murder dangerous depraved without premeditation.

— michael saponara, Billboard, "Second Arrest Made in Connection With Murder of XXXTentacion," 11 July 2018
Williams, who police believe is the man in the orange sandals, has been arrested and charged with depraved murder without premeditation since June 20.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Search still on for corpulent con man as person of interest in XXXTentacion murder," 3 July 2018
Williams is charged with first-degree murder without premeditation.

— Fox News, "Suspect arrested in shooting death of rapper XXXTentacion," 22 June 2018
Williams is charged with first-degree murder without premeditation.

— CBS News, "Florida police arrest suspect in shooting death of XXXTentacion," 21 June 2018
Amanda Clark Palmer [to Moriarty]: Detective Benton thought that that was indicative of premeditation of murder.

— erin moriarty, CBS News, "Was alleged rape and shooting death investigation influenced by reality TV cameras?," 30 June 2018
Detention records show he was charged with first-degree murder without premeditation, along with driving without a valid license and a probation violation for theft of a car.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "XXXTentacion's Music Video for 'SAD!' Released One Day After Fans Gathered at Memorial Service," 28 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'premeditation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of premeditation

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Law Dictionary

premeditation

noun pre·med·i·ta·tion \ pri-ˌme-də-ˈtā-shən \

legal Definition of premeditation

: an act or instance of premeditating; specifically : consideration or planning of an act beforehand

designed so that it requires premeditation to tamper with it

murder in the first degree is the killing of a human being committed…intentionally and with premeditation
—Kansas Statutes Annotated

— see also cold blood, murder — compare intent

Note: The terms premeditation malice aforethought deliberate, and willful are often used in statutes either along with or instead of intent to describe the necessary mental state for a crime. In some jurisdictions the premeditation has to occur only moments before the act, while in others it must precede the act by an appreciable amount of time.