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
Trish and Dan Bell Chapel The Trish and Dan Bell Chapel will serve as a gathering place for worship, contemplation and spiritual strengthening at FIU.
—
Florida International University,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Many crude laughs were bolstered by the attached contemplation.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 June 2026
Its challenges require active engagement, not passive contemplation.
—
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Sterman, after much contemplation, decided to use natives but didn’t develop a detailed plan.
—
Nicole Sours Larson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
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Florida International University,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Many crude laughs were bolstered by the attached contemplation.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 June 2026
Its challenges require active engagement, not passive contemplation.
—
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Sterman, after much contemplation, decided to use natives but didn’t develop a detailed plan.
—
Nicole Sours Larson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contemplation
Cite this Entry
“Contemplation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplation. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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