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

deliberative

di-ˈli-bə-ˌrā-tiv 

-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-

adjective

deliberatively adverb

deliberativeness noun

Synonyms

• account
• advisement
• consideration
• debate
• reflection
• study
• thought

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

After months of deliberation and hundreds of messages in the group chat, the third Tuesday of the month, from 4:27 P.M. to 5:36 P.M. (non-gibbous moon), seems to be the only time that works for everyone. —Zoe Pearl, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

After months of deliberation among doctors, scientists, ethicists and regulators, the world’s first Covid-19 human challenge study was ultimately born in early 2021. —Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025

The disruption factor, in turn, requires a deeper level of deliberation from interested teams that can’t afford to welcome a star player circus to town. —Sam Amick, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

By two hours, exhaustion sets in and the quality of deliberation progressively deteriorates, so measures reducing time waste are important. —Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see deliberate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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

deliberative

dē-ˈli-bə-ˌrā-tiv, -brə-tiv 

adjective