deliberation

[dih-lib-uh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. careful consideration before decision.

   Synonyms: forethought, reflection

2. formal consultation or discussion.

3. deliberate quality; leisureliness of movement or action; slowness.

deliberation

/ dɪˌlɪbəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. thoughtful, careful, or lengthy consideration

2. (often plural) formal discussion and debate, as of a committee, jury, etc

3. care, thoughtfulness, or absence of hurry, esp in movement or speech

Other Word Forms

• nondeliberation noun
• overdeliberation noun
• predeliberation noun
• redeliberation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deliberation¹

1325–75; Middle English deliberacion < Latin dēlīberātiōn- (stem of dēlīberātiō ), equivalent to dēlīberāt ( us ) ( deliberate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Some top U.S. officials have been advocating for an operation to remove Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela with an iron hand since 2013, administration officials and people familiar with the deliberations said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

"This further pushes the Court's deliberations and decisions out of view of public scrutiny and shields it from accountability."

Read more on BBC

“These actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious, and the cynical use of federal employees as a pawn in Congressional deliberations should be declared unlawful and enjoined by this Court.”

Read more on Salon

On Tuesday, Lee had her head down and gave no reaction when the jury delivered the verdict, which came after around three hours of deliberation.

Read more on BBC

“It comes after nearly a decade of deliberation about the ever-escalating timelines and costs associated with the extension, coupled with the Board’s frustration over the absence of local control in decision-making.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conference 
• consideration 
• consultation 
• debate 
• speculation