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

• deliberation
• study
• account
• debate

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

But immediately, without much consideration, one of the qallunaaq fired a warning shot. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

Paramount has submitted its Studio Partner application, a separate process that is under review by the NJ economic development authority and will be brought to its board for consideration on October 30. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025

Temperature reductions from extensive tree coverage offer sustainability benefits beyond mere aesthetics — a critical consideration in a climate where outdoor spaces become nearly uninhabitable for months each year. —Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

Other behaviors that commonly cause altercations during flights include shouting, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, and reclining your seat without consideration for the person sitting behind. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see consider

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing consideration

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

Rhymes for consideration

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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