premeditate

American  

[pri-med-i-teyt] / prɪˈmɛd ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used with object)

premeditated, premeditating

1. to meditate, consider, or plan beforehand.

   to premeditate a murder.

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premeditate British  

/ prɪˈmɛdɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. to plan or consider (something, such as a violent crime) beforehand

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Related Words

See deliberate.

Other Word Forms

• premeditatedly adverb
• premeditative adjective
• premeditator noun

Etymology

Origin of premeditate

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin praemeditātus, past participle of praemeditārī “to contemplate in advance”; pre-, meditate

Example Sentences

Unlike the deliberate, premeditated approach of human engineers, the natural process for generating life has no preconceived plan.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said the act was premeditated and added two days to the requested sentence.

From Los Angeles Times

Andrew Fox, honorary president of Aston Villa's Jewish Villans supporters' club, said he thought Khan's comments on Amsterdam were "shameful", describing what happened there as a "premeditated Jew hunt".

From BBC

The prosecutor’s office added that early investigations indicated the attacks on government property were premeditated.

From The Wall Street Journal

The prosecution had argued it was a premeditated coup, while Kim claimed far loftier motives.

From BBC