consideration

noun

con·​sid·​er·​a·​tion kən-ˌsi-də-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce consideration (audio)
1
: continuous and careful thought
After long consideration he agreed to their requests.
2
a
: a matter weighed or taken into account when formulating an opinion or plan
economic considerations forced her to leave college
b
: a taking into account
in consideration of the enormous difficulties involved
3
: thoughtful and sympathetic regard
his consideration of the needs of others
4
: an opinion obtained by reflection
his considerations favoring one profession over another
5
: esteem, regard
… the family built themselves a large, ugly villa … and became people of consideration.V. S. Pritchett
6
a
: recompense, payment
a consideration paid for legal services
b
: the inducement to a contract or other legal transaction
specifically : an act or forbearance or the promise thereof done or given by one party in return for the act or promise of another
Phrases
in consideration of
: as payment or recompense for
a small fee in consideration of many kind services

Examples of consideration in a Sentence

You should give some serious consideration to your retirement plans. After careful consideration, he agreed to their requests. Show some consideration and turn down that radio. Finding a house close to work was an important consideration for them. Economic considerations forced her to delay her education.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This love is not driven by passion or spontaneity, but by careful consideration of how a partner fits into one’s life. Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 And speaking of the movie’s patchy political considerations, some timelines aren’t given as great a depth as the Youngs’, including the wonderful Nikki Amuka-Bird and Nicholas Pinnock as the Black couple who buy the Youngs’ house after Richard and Margaret drive themselves mad and out of it. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2024 Such considerations occurred even before Kelly Ortberg took over as CEO in August. Byjason Ma, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024 Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for consideration 

Word History

Etymology

see consider

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of consideration was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near consideration

Cite this Entry

“Consideration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consideration. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

consideration

noun
con·​sid·​er·​ation kən-ˌsid-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce consideration (audio)
1
: careful thought : deliberation
2
: thoughtfulness for other people
3
: something that needs to be considered before deciding or acting
4
: a payment made in return for something

Legal Definition

consideration

noun
con·​sid·​er·​a·​tion
: something (as an act or forbearance or the promise thereof) done or given by one party for the act or promise of another see also contract compare motive

Note: Except in Louisiana, consideration is a necessary element to the creation of a contract. The consideration must result from bargaining by the parties, and must be the thing that induces the mutual promises.

adequate consideration
: a consideration that is reasonably equivalent in value to the thing for which it is given
fair consideration
: a consideration that is reasonable and given in good faith
specifically : something with a reasonably equivalent value that under the laws of fraudulent conveyances is given in good faith in exchange for the transfer of property
good consideration
: a consideration based on a family relationship or natural love and affection
: valuable consideration in this entry

Note: As defined in sense 1, good consideration is the opposite of valuable consideration, though it is sometimes used to mean valuable consideration. Good consideration of the kind denoted by sense 1 cannot create an enforceable contract.

new consideration
: something according to section 6-106 of the Uniform Commercial Code that becomes payable in exchange for the transfer of bulk goods
nominal consideration
: consideration consisting of a nominal amount
past consideration
: something that has already been given or some act that has already been performed that cannot therefore be induced by the other party's thing, act, or promise in exchange and is not truly a consideration
valuable consideration
: a consideration that confers some benefit having pecuniary value on one party to a contract or imposes a detriment having pecuniary value on the other
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!