deliberation

noun

de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the act of thinking about or discussing something and deciding carefully : the act of deliberating

After careful deliberation, he decided to study medicine rather than law.

b

: a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (such as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for and against a measure

The jury returned a verdict after a four-hour deliberation.

2

: the quality or state of being deliberate

spoke with clarity and deliberation

worked with deliberation on the painting

deliberative

di-ˈli-bə-ˌrā-tiv 

-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-

adjective

deliberatively adverb

deliberativeness noun

Synonyms of deliberation

• consideration

Examples of deliberation in a Sentence

After hours of deliberation, the council came to a decision.

Jury deliberations lasted two days.

She spoke to the audience with clarity and deliberation.

Recent Examples on the Web

During jury deliberations, Tupac dropped by a New York recording studio at the invitation of a producer to contribute to a track. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Watching someone move from deliberation to conviction and into action that fast is the power of this work. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Both lawyers were also involved in deliberations surrounding the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026

During deliberation, jurors received a read-back of excerpts of testimony of a police officer on Hampton’s performance on field sobriety tests after the crash on Interstate 20, near Texas 360, in December 2021, and on a preliminary breath test. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deliberacioun, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French deliberacion, borrowed from Latin dēlīberātiōn-, dēlīberātiō, from dēlīberāre "to think about carefully, weigh the pros and cons" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at deliberate entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for deliberation

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

Kids Definition

deliberation

noun

de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion di-ˌlib-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act of deliberating

2

: a discussion and consideration of the reasons for and against something

3

: the quality of being deliberate : deliberateness

Legal Definition

deliberation

noun

de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the act of deliberating compare premeditation

b

: a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for or against a measure

2

: the quality or state of being deliberate

killing with deliberation

deliberative

dē-ˈli-bə-ˌrā-tiv, -brə-tiv 

adjective