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
Ahead of Monday's hearing, the Justice Department warned Oyer that discussing internal deliberations—particularly regarding pardons and gun rights—could violate executive privilege, which shields certain presidential communications from disclosure.
—
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Two people familiar with the matter, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, confirmed the department's decision to decline to prosecute.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Apr. 2025
But after a more than hour-long closed session on Thursday, the council agreed privately to open the job to all who might want to apply, two sources with knowledge of those deliberations said on the condition that their names not be used in discussing those private talks.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025
The details of the meeting were confirmed by a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
—Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deliberation
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John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Two people familiar with the matter, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, confirmed the department's decision to decline to prosecute.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Apr. 2025
But after a more than hour-long closed session on Thursday, the council agreed privately to open the job to all who might want to apply, two sources with knowledge of those deliberations said on the condition that their names not be used in discussing those private talks.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025
The details of the meeting were confirmed by a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
—Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deliberation
Cite this Entry
“Deliberation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deliberation. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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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