deliberation

[ dih-lib-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. careful consideration before decision.

   Synonyms: forethought, reflection

2. formal consultation or discussion.
3. deliberate quality; leisureliness of movement or action; slowness.

deliberation

/ dɪˌlɪbəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. thoughtful, careful, or lengthy consideration
2. often plural formal discussion and debate, as of a committee, jury, etc
3. care, thoughtfulness, or absence of hurry, esp in movement or speech

Other Words From

• nonde·liber·ation noun
• over·de·liber·ation noun
• prede·liber·ation noun
• rede·liber·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deliberation¹

1325–75; Middle English deliberacion < Latin dēlīberātiōn- (stem of dēlīberātiō ), equivalent to dēlīberāt ( us ) ( deliberate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Five people have now been found guilty of their murders, following more than 18 hours of deliberations.

From BBC

Ms Dowdall and Ms Matthews sobbed and hugged in the dock after the jury returned its verdicts after six hours and 20 minutes of deliberations.

From BBC

The jury of five white men, one black man and six white women began their deliberations on Wednesday.

From BBC

Jurors at Coleraine Crown Court rejected her argument and found her guilty after nine hours of deliberations.

From BBC

A jury found him guilty on Monday, after more than eight hours of deliberation.

From BBC

Related Words

• conference
• consideration
• consultation
• debate
• speculation