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

The main film competition for the fourth edition of the Red Sea Film festival is still to wrap deliberations and hand out its awards, with the jury led this year by Spike Lee. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024

Both officials requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing internal deliberations. —Sarah El Deeb, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024

Their lengthy deliberation – and the totality of the facts and the evidence – underscored why this case was put in front of a jury of Mr. Penny's peers. —Jason Volack, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024

Last Friday morning, Dec. 6, after three days of deliberations, the jury sent Judge Maxwell Wiley a note saying they were deadlocked on the manslaughter charge. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2024

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