contemplation

[ kon-tuhm-pley-shuhn, -tem- ]
See synonyms for contemplation on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the act of contemplating; thoughtful observation.

  2. full or deep consideration; reflection: religious contemplation.

  1. purpose or intention.

  2. prospect or expectation.

Origin of contemplation

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; from Latin contemplātiōn-, stem of contemplātiō; equivalent to contemplate + -ion; replacing Middle English contemplaci(o)un, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

Other words from contemplation

  • pre·con·tem·pla·tion, noun
  • re·con·tem·pla·tion, noun

Words Nearby contemplation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use contemplation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for contemplation

contemplation

/ (ˌkɒntɛmˈpleɪʃən, -təm-) /


noun
  1. thoughtful or long consideration or observation

  2. spiritual meditation esp (in Christian religious practice) concentration of the mind and soul upon God: Compare meditation

  1. purpose or intention

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