meditate

[med-i-teyt]

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.

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

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of meditate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of meditate¹

C16: from Latin meditārī to reflect upon

Example Sentences

Throughout his two-year illness, she meditated, prayed, talked to her husband about spirituality and recited Buddhist chants for him.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Salon

In creating the shoe base, Nurse and his team examined how Tibetan monks reach alpha-wave status as they meditate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She still uses her devices daily, meditates, and regularly checks in with how she is feeling.

Read more on BBC

Individuals who had experienced mental health symptoms or psychological distress within the 30 days before meditating were more likely to report adverse effects.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• ponder 
• ruminate