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

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Salon

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

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

From Science Daily

Related Words

• ponder
• ruminate