deliberation

American  

[dih-lib-uh-rey-shuhn] / dɪˌlɪb əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. careful consideration before decision.

   Synonyms:

   forethought, reflection

2. formal consultation or discussion.

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

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deliberation British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of deliberation

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

Example Sentences

Jurors at Wood Green Crown Court found him guilty of all charges after more than 11 hours of deliberation.

From BBC

The vote comes about two months before the commission, which began its work in July, is scheduled to finish its deliberations and deliver a list of recommendations to the council.

From Los Angeles Times

Minutes from the central bank’s December deliberations indicated officials were leery of data signaling an improvement in economic activity.

From The Wall Street Journal

The jury returned its not guilty verdict on Wednesday about seven hours after deliberations began.

From BBC

Some justices discussed the idea of sending the case back to lower courts for more deliberation.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• conference
• consideration
• consultation
• debate
• speculation