contemplation
noun
con·tem·pla·tion
ˌkän-təm-ˈplā-shən 
-ˌtem-
1
a
: concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion
b
: a state of mystical awareness of God's being
2
: an act of considering with attention : study
made the decision after much contemplation
3
: the act of regarding steadily
was lost in quiet contemplation of the scene
4
: intention, expectation
"A considerable crime is in contemplation."—
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleExamples of contemplation in a Sentence
contemplation of the meaning of life
He goes to the forest to spend time in contemplation of nature.
She was lost in quiet contemplation of the scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
And, where many other Stoic writers suggest seeking the divine through contemplation of the stars or natural landscapes, Pliny does the same with bugs and grubs.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2025
In the weeks before the election, former President Barack Obama gave moral sermons and philosophical treatises on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign, his speeches suggesting that politics still existed in a social atmosphere of contemplation and debate.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
Acoustic music sets fostering contemplation will animate the interior of the cylinder, while the external area will be characterized by live performances and DJ sets.
—Martino Carrera, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Venus will also station retrograde, marking a period of reflection and contemplation, specifically regarding your aspirations and long-term goals.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
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Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2025
In the weeks before the election, former President Barack Obama gave moral sermons and philosophical treatises on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign, his speeches suggesting that politics still existed in a social atmosphere of contemplation and debate.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025
Acoustic music sets fostering contemplation will animate the interior of the cylinder, while the external area will be characterized by live performances and DJ sets.
—Martino Carrera, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Venus will also station retrograde, marking a period of reflection and contemplation, specifically regarding your aspirations and long-term goals.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplation. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contemplation
noun
con·tem·pla·tion
ˌkänt-əm-ˈplā-shən
ˌkän-ˌtem-
1
: the act of thinking about spiritual things : meditation
2
: the act of looking at or thinking about something steadily
3
: a looking ahead to some future event : anticipation
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