consideration

noun

con·​sid·​er·​a·​tion kən-ˌsi-də-ˈrā-shən 

1

: continuous and careful thought

After long consideration he agreed to their requests.

2

a

: a matter weighed or taken into account when formulating an opinion or plan

economic considerations forced her to leave college

b

: a taking into account

in consideration of the enormous difficulties involved

3

: thoughtful and sympathetic regard

his consideration of the needs of others

4

: an opinion obtained by reflection

his considerations favoring one profession over another

5

: esteem, regard

… the family built themselves a large, ugly villa … and became people of consideration.

—V. S. Pritchett

6

a

: recompense, payment

a consideration paid for legal services

b

: the inducement to a contract or other legal transaction

specifically : an act or forbearance or the promise thereof done or given by one party in return for the act or promise of another

Phrases

in consideration of

: as payment or recompense for

a small fee in consideration of many kind services

Synonyms

• account
• advisement
• debate
• deliberation
• reflection
• study
• thought

Examples of consideration in a Sentence

You should give some serious consideration to your retirement plans.

After careful consideration, he agreed to their requests.

Show some consideration and turn down that radio.

Finding a house close to work was an important consideration for them.

Economic considerations forced her to delay her education.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wattage The wattage of the unit should top the list of considerations when buying a generator. —Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2024

Many fans of both artists loved the song anyway, and it was later submitted for Grammys consideration. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 18 Apr. 2024

The problem was that the testing-optional policy remained in place long after Covid had faded away, which suggested that the pandemic was a pretextual excuse, and ideological considerations rather than epidemiological ones had driven it all along. —The Editors, National Review, 16 Apr. 2024

Producers, studios/networks, agents, managers or publicists can submit an actor’s performance, with the actor’s permission, for consideration, but actors can also submit their own performance, as long as the performance aired or premiered between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of this year. —Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Apr. 2024

If the case is accepted on its merits, the appellate court must decide if it will be decided in a summary disposition, whether briefs will be submitted either with or without oral arguments, or whether the case should be certified to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for consideration. —Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024

Trump's request to lift the order will now go to a five-judge panel for consideration. —Laura Doan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024

Vincent Pons, an associate professor at the Harvard Business School, recently released a study that shows protest movements in general do not factor into Americans’ political considerations at the ballot box. —Tim Craig, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024

Other retirement goals: Running out of money isn't the only consideration. —The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see consider

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing consideration

• in consideration of
• take everything into consideration
• take (something) into consideration
• under consideration
• valuable consideration

Kids Definition

consideration

noun

con·​sid·​er·​ation kən-ˌsid-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: careful thought : deliberation

2

: thoughtfulness for other people

3

: something that needs to be considered before deciding or acting

4

: a payment made in return for something

Legal Definition

consideration

noun

con·​sid·​er·​a·​tion

: something (as an act or forbearance or the promise thereof) done or given by one party for the act or promise of another see also contract compare motive

Note: Except in Louisiana, consideration is a necessary element to the creation of a contract. The consideration must result from bargaining by the parties, and must be the thing that induces the mutual promises.

— adequate consideration

: a consideration that is reasonably equivalent in value to the thing for which it is given

— fair consideration

: a consideration that is reasonable and given in good faith

specifically : something with a reasonably equivalent value that under the laws of fraudulent conveyances is given in good faith in exchange for the transfer of property

— good consideration

: a consideration based on a family relationship or natural love and affection

: valuable consideration in this entry

Note: As defined in sense 1, good consideration is the opposite of valuable consideration, though it is sometimes used to mean valuable consideration. Good consideration of the kind denoted by sense 1 cannot create an enforceable contract.

— new consideration

: something according to section 6-106 of the Uniform Commercial Code that becomes payable in exchange for the transfer of bulk goods

— nominal consideration

: consideration consisting of a nominal amount

— past consideration

: something that has already been given or some act that has already been performed that cannot therefore be induced by the other party's thing, act, or promise in exchange and is not truly a consideration

— valuable consideration

: a consideration that confers some benefit having pecuniary value on one party to a contract or imposes a detriment having pecuniary value on the other