premeditation

noun

pre·​med·​i·​ta·​tion (ˌ)prē-ˌme-də-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce premeditation (audio)
: 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
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Key to that, according to jurors, were instructions given to them by the judge that described premeditation as an element of first-degree murder. Dan Morse, Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov. 2024 For example, searches about how to commit a specific crime, how to hide evidence, or how to evade law enforcement can indicate premeditation. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 In legal terms, Lindsay’s apparent composure on the day of the killings isn’t enough to rule out temporary insanity, and nor is any evidence of premeditation. Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 Instead, Velasquez will be convicted but not subject to a mandatory life sentence after premeditation allegations were dropped in accordance with a plea agreement with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for premeditation 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premeditation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near premeditation

Cite this Entry

“Premeditation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premeditation. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

premeditation

noun
pre·​med·​i·​ta·​tion pri-ˌme-də-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce premeditation (audio)
: 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.

More from Merriam-Webster on premeditation

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