premeditation

American  

[pri-med-i-tey-shuhn] / prɪˌmɛd ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of premeditating.

2. Law.  sufficient forethought to impute deliberation and intent to commit the act.

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premeditation British  

/ prɪˌmɛdɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. law prior resolve to do some act or to commit a crime

2. the act of premeditating

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Etymology

Origin of premeditation

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin praemeditātiōn- (stem of praemeditātiō ) a considering beforehand. See premeditate, -ion

Example Sentences

The judge said that he acted with deliberation and premeditation to avoid the probe.

From BBC

In California, the attempted murder of a peace officer without premeditation is punishable by a five-, seven- or nine-year sentence.

From Los Angeles Times

The motion also lays out evidence of premeditation and the brothers’ attempts to cover their tracks.

From Los Angeles Times

Orlando Pownall, defending Thomas, offered no personal mitigation on behalf of his client but said there was not a "significant degree of planning or premeditation".

From BBC

The issues revolved around the degree of planning and premeditation, amount of mental and physical suffering inflicted on Holly and MacPhail's motivation for having a knife, the court heard.

From BBC