contemplation
Americannoun
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the act of contemplating; thoughtful observation.
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full or deep consideration; reflection.
religious contemplation.
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purpose or intention.
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prospect or expectation.
noun
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thoughtful or long consideration or observation
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spiritual meditation esp (in Christian religious practice) concentration of the mind and soul upon God Compare meditation
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purpose or intention
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of contemplation
First recorded in 1175–1225; from Latin contemplātiōn-, stem of contemplātiō; equivalent to contemplate + -ion; replacing Middle English contemplaci(o)un, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above
Explanation
Contemplation is long, hard thinking about something. If you’re writing a book on the meaning of the universe, then you’re going to need to do a great deal of contemplation. Contemplate has the word temple in its roots, and originally referred to the kind of thinking you do in a special space set aside for observation. Now we use it to describe any kind of thinking that we spend a long time doing. While clicking on someone’s photos on Facebook doesn’t count as contemplation, usually, you might spend hours in contemplation of your family and your history if you come across a box of old photos in the attic.
Vocabulary lists containing contemplation
Tuck Everlasting
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A Long Way Gone
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Siddhartha
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Somers town court clerk said some defendants received a 6-month “adjournment in contemplation of dismissal,” meaning charges will be dropped and their arrest sealed if they avoid trouble.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026
The initial tone is one of tranquil contemplation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
Then, she invites participants to get comfortable in their seats while she reads selections from the book that encourage surrender, rest and contemplation during the winter months.
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026
It takes an exceptional piece of art to inspire audiences to think twice about what comes as second nature, to choose compassionate contemplation over ardent debate.
From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026
When he first arrived, he was perturbed by having to preach in the corridor, which he found inimical to the contemplation of God.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
