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 two hours of deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict: guilty of all charges. —Nikki Battiste, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2024

What the Biden Administration Is Saying A senior Biden administration official, speaking to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss private deliberations, said Wednesday that the U.S. is urging Ukraine to lower its mobilization age from 25 to 18. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Others will have to undergo a genuine deliberation process. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024

White was convicted after days of deliberation from a 12-person jury, according to the outlets. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 27 Nov. 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