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
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.
“People don’t live their lives in contemplation of their divorce,” said Steven J. Mandel, a New York City divorce attorney and legal pioneer in same-sex splits.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026
It also proved Murphy’s glossy approach could coax viewers into considerate contemplation about systemic ills by wrapping them in celebrity skin.
From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026
"These are moments of peace and contemplation," Atoukou said.
From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026
Indeed, such has been the level of contemplation regarding Frank's immediate future at Tottenham in recent weeks that this loss will almost certainly trigger further soul-searching from the club's leadership group.
From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026
“I trust you spent the weekend in contemplation, Mr. Morales.”
From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer
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.
