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

Mayfield wouldn’t say what he’ll do against the Browns, adding “I’m not going to premeditate anything. Once I step inside the lines, I’m a competitor.’

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2022

Derek was into discovering things that you couldn’t premeditate.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2020

"At no time did I premeditate interfering with anyone," said Maragh, whose mount finished last in the field of 12.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 13, 2011

When I decide to make a movie, I don't premeditate it.

From The Guardian • Jan. 23, 2011

However much you may study, plan, or premeditate, there must be no indication of conscious or studied attempt in the act of speaking to an audience.

From Model Speeches for Practise by Kleiser, Grenville