premeditation

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

Examples of premeditation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Capital murder requires premeditation and deliberation. — Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 8 June 2022 Georgia law does not require prosecutors to prove premeditation or motive in malice or felony murder cases. — Eliott C. Mclaughlin, CNN, 6 Feb. 2022 Aggravating factors can include the heinous, cruel, or depraved manner of the crime and substantial planning and premeditation to cause death, among others. — Gerard Albert Iii, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2022 But there is plenty of premeditation—and a lot of skill—that has gone into making Tran one of the most sought after manicurists in the City of Light. — Tish Weinstock, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2022 What does this level of premeditation tell you about Nate and his intentions? — Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2022 Tavarez-Torres, 21, is accused of acting with premeditation and deliberation in causing the death of Fidel Mercado Reyes. — Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2022 Joe Biden, with premeditation, falsely hid behind the claim that his son’s laptop was Russian disinformation. — WSJ, 8 Oct. 2021 Antoine Suggs, 38, of Scottsdale, Arizona, faces four counts of second-degree intentional murder, without premeditation. — Amy Forliti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2021 See More

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.

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premeditatingly

premeditation

premeditative

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Last Updated

17 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Premeditation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premeditation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for premeditation

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.