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 five days of testimony and two days of deliberation, the jury reached its decision, acquitting David of murder but remaining deadlocked on the manslaughter charge. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024

But this was made within a couple of weeks of the election, and there was no substantive serious deliberation with the editorial board of the paper. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal deliberations about the proposal with the media. —Melanie Lidman and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

People familiar with the deliberations told Bloomberg that the EU is essentially debating whether Musk should be fined instead of X itself. —Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 17 Oct. 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