premeditation

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

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

The indictment also alleges Purinton committed the crimes after premeditation and planning, attempted to kill more than one person and created a grave risk of death to others at the scene.

— Washington Post, "Kansas man accused of hate crime in death of Indian citizen," 11 June 2017
The indictment also alleges Purinton committed the crimes after premeditation and planning, attempted to kill more than one person and created a grave risk of death to others at the scene.

— Washington Post, "Kansas man accused of hate crime in death of Indian citizen," 11 June 2017
The indictment also alleges Purinton committed the crimes after premeditation and planning, attempted to kill more than one person and created a grave risk of death to others at the scene.

— Washington Post, "Kansas man accused of hate crime in death of Indian citizen," 11 June 2017
The indictment also alleges Purinton committed the crimes after premeditation and planning, attempted to kill more than one person and created a grave risk of death to others at the scene.

— margaret stafford, The Seattle Times, "Kansas man accused of hate crime in death of Indian citizen," 9 June 2017
The indictment also alleges Purinton committed the crimes after premeditation and planning, attempted to kill more than one person and created a grave risk of death to others at the scene.

— CBS News, "Kansas man charged with hate crime in fatal shooting of Indian engineer," 9 June 2017
Five of them, as well as the national fraternity itself, were charged with third-degree murder, which does not involve premeditation or a specific intent to kill.

— rick rojas, New York Times, "4 Plead Guilty in Baruch College Student’s Hazing Death," 15 May 2017
Terrell James Pleasant, 40, was charged Tuesday with attempted first-degree murder (with premeditation); attempted second-degree murder; first-degree assault; second-degree assault; and domestic assault.

— pioneer press, Twin Cities, "Burnsville man, previously convicted of attempted murder, now charged with repeatedly stabbing girlfriend with scissors," 9 May 2017
Thacker is charged with committing a dangerous depraved murder without premeditation and causing the cruel death pain and suffering of an animal.

— mke clary, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Cops find body of wife killed 'before Valentine's Day,' arrest report says," 1 May 2017

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

Law Dictionary

premeditation

play

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.

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See words that rhyme with premeditation Spanish Central: Translation of premeditation Nglish: Translation of premeditation for Spanish speakers

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premeditation

Definition of premeditation

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First Known Use of premeditation

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premeditation

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