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
Two Israeli officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the government believed that with the aid and goods that entered the enclave in recent months and during the temporary ceasefire, there were enough supplies in Gaza for several more months.
—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Journalists reviewed documents, including procurement organizations’ policies on skipping patients, private complaints filed by doctors and internal records of deliberations among leaders of the transplant system.
—Brian M. Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
The duo are moving with the speedy deliberation of the Flash to get as many projects going as possible.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
The verdict was announced at Los Angeles' Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Tuesday, Feb. 18, following a three-hour deliberation.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deliberation
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Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Journalists reviewed documents, including procurement organizations’ policies on skipping patients, private complaints filed by doctors and internal records of deliberations among leaders of the transplant system.
—Brian M. Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
The duo are moving with the speedy deliberation of the Flash to get as many projects going as possible.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
The verdict was announced at Los Angeles' Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Tuesday, Feb. 18, following a three-hour deliberation.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 21 Feb. 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 11 Mar. 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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