meditate

American  

[med-i-teyt] / ˈmɛd ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used without object)

meditated, meditating

1. to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.

   Synonyms:

   think, study, cogitate, ruminate, muse, ponder

2. to engage in Transcendental Meditation, devout religious contemplation, or quiescent spiritual introspection.

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verb (used with object)

meditated, meditating

1. to consider as something to be done or effected; intend; purpose.

   to meditate revenge.

   Synonyms:

   contrive, devise, plan, contemplate

meditate British  

/ ˈmɛdɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. (intr; foll by on or upon) to think about something deeply

2. (intr) to reflect deeply on spiritual matters, esp as a religious act

   I make space to meditate every day

3. (tr) to plan, consider, or think of doing (something)

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Other Word Forms

• meditatingly adverb
• meditative adjective
• meditatively adverb
• meditativeness noun
• meditator noun
• unmeditated adjective
• unmeditating adjective

Etymology

Origin of meditate

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin meditātus “contemplated, planned,” past participle of meditārī “to meditate, contemplate, plan”

Example Sentences

The discomfort that gets Mayar Mozaffari up before 6 a.m. to meditate and journal isn’t physical but financial.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

There is so much to unpack, dissect, consider and meditate upon.

From Salon • Nov. 11, 2025

A Rembrandt painting is beginning a national tour, with viewers urged to meditate on the work to boost their mental health.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2025

I’ll also do 10 minutes of red light therapy and I’ll maybe meditate for a few minutes to calm myself down, then go to bed.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

Some people take yoga classes or meditate, but for me, sitting on the lawn mower helps make sense of things.

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• ponder
• ruminate