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

Synonyms

• meditation

Examples 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

The collection reflects an approach where art and landscape coexist to nurture a sense of calm and contemplation. —Laura Parker, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

More psychological study than devotional image, this work does not invite veneration so much as reflection on the actors’ motivations, anticipating later definitions of painting as a medium for pleasurable (rather than purposeful) contemplation. —Christian K. Kleinbub, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2024

The Cucinelli Theatre hosts regular plays, its amphitheater hosts music festivals, and there’s a terraced garden—called the Garden of Philosophers—dedicated to meditation and contemplation of nature. —Scarlett Conlon, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2024

Through a process of contemplation and meditation, these granular memories are extensively blurred and distorted, transforming from seminal moments into luminous scenes laminated with personal meaning. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contemplacioun "religious meditation, reflection, consideration," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contemplaciun, borrowed from Latin contemplātiōn-, contemplātiō "act of looking at something, consideration" (Late Latin, "religious meditation"), from contemplāre, contemplārī "to look at fixedly, observe, notice, ponder" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contemplate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing contemplation

• in contemplation
• self-contemplation

Kids 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