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Synonyms

contemplation

American  
[kon-tuhm-pley-shuhn, -tem-] / ˌkɒn təmˈpleɪ ʃən, -tɛm- /

noun

  1. the act of contemplating; thoughtful observation.

  2. full or deep consideration; reflection.

    religious contemplation.

  3. purpose or intention.

  4. prospect or expectation.

contemplation British  
/ -təm-, ˌkɒntɛmˈpleɪʃən /

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

  3. purpose or intention

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • precontemplation noun
  • recontemplation noun

Etymology

Origin of contemplation

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.