ponder
[pon-der]
- to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon).
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- to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully: He pondered his next words thoroughly.
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Origin of ponder
1300–50; Middle English pondren < Middle French ponderer < Latin ponderāre to ponder, weigh; akin to pendēre to be suspended, hang (see pend)
Synonyms
See more synonyms for ponder on Thesaurus.com1. reflect, cogitate, deliberate, ruminate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pondering
Contemporary Examples
He prefers to create and leave the pondering for others to do.
That evening I took my usual walk in Washington Park, pondering over the occurrences of the day.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the ShowRobert W. Chambers
February 20, 2014
Secretary of State John Kerry pondering U.S. push for independence of South South Sudan and South South South Sudan.
These oddball questions will have you pondering life, luck, and pizza delivery men.
Can You Answer These 10 Oddball Job Interview Questions Asked at America’s Top Tech Companies?Brian Ries
January 17, 2014
I sat on the steps leading to Damascus gate which leads to the Muslim Quarter pondering the events I had just missed.
Historical Examples
She had been pondering over this proposal when Martin interrupted her.
DustMr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
He broke a roll and munched it gloomily, pondering this revelation.
The Fortune HunterLouis Joseph Vance
But I could see that he was not listening only: he was pondering and reasoning upon what I told him.
Henry DunbarM. E. Braddon
He kept his face downwards and aside, as if he were pondering and coming to no conclusion.
Wilfrid CumbermedeGeorge MacDonald
He rode on down the track, pondering upon all that must have occurred to him.
The Law-BreakersRidgwell Cullum
ponder
- (when intr, sometimes foll by on or over) to give thorough or deep consideration (to); meditate (upon)
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French ponderer, from Latin ponderāre to weigh, consider, from pondus weight; related to pendere to weigh
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for pondering
ponder
v.
early 14c., "to estimate the worth of, to appraise," from Old French ponderer "to weigh, poise" (14c., Modern French pondérer) and directly from Latin ponderare "ponder, consider, reflect," literally "to weigh," from pondus (genitive ponderis) "weigh" (see pound (n.1)). Meaning "to weigh a matter mentally" is attested from late 14c. Related: Pondered; pondering; ponderation.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper