deliberation
noun
de·lib·er·a·tion
di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən 
1
a
: the act of thinking about or discussing something and deciding carefully : the act of deliberating
After careful deliberation, he decided to study medicine rather than law.
b
: a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (such as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for and against a measure
The jury returned a verdict after a four-hour deliberation.
2
: the quality or state of being deliberate
spoke with clarity and deliberation
worked with deliberation on the painting
Examples of deliberation in a Sentence
After hours of deliberation, the council came to a decision.
Jury deliberations lasted two days.
She spoke to the audience with clarity and deliberation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Although Braddy’s age didn’t come up in their deliberations, the jurors acknowledged that had Braddy received the death penalty, the now 76-year-old would likely never be executed.
—
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
The jury returned the verdict after three hours of deliberations.
—Angela Palermo
april 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026
Jury deliberations began Friday in an antitrust case pitting 34 states against the concert giant Live Nation Entertainment.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
After a monthlong trial and a little more than a day of deliberation, the jury found Abbott liable on three counts for each child.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deliberation
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Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
The jury returned the verdict after three hours of deliberations.
—Angela Palermo
april 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2026
Jury deliberations began Friday in an antitrust case pitting 34 states against the concert giant Live Nation Entertainment.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
After a monthlong trial and a little more than a day of deliberation, the jury found Abbott liable on three counts for each child.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deliberation
Cite this Entry
“Deliberation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deliberation. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deliberation
noun
de·lib·er·a·tion
di-ˌlib-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act of deliberating
2
: a discussion and consideration of the reasons for and against something
3
: the quality of being deliberate : deliberateness
Legal Definition
deliberation
noun
de·lib·er·a·tion
di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən
1
a
: the act of deliberating compare premeditation
b
: a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for or against a measure
2
: the quality or state of being deliberate
killing with deliberation
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