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

And, yes, the two seasons at $88 million beyond this season on his Memphis Grizzlies contract were significant in that deliberation. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026

Rosa Lagrone, 40, was convicted of killing Darnell Manns in November 2022 following a four-day jury trial and more than two hours of deliberation, the release said. —Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026

After days of deliberations, the House justice committee voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints filed by left-wing activists and a lawyer against Marcos. —Jim Gomez The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026

There are different possible outcomes to the grand jury deliberations. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 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