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
While deliberations of the Council will be mostly behind closed doors, the Parliament uses a more open legislative process.
—
Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Stermer was found guilty after seven hours of deliberation, according to WWMT.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Riggs, the incumbent in the race who has recused herself from the court’s deliberations, is ahead of Griffin by less than 1,000 votes.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
The event features deliberations among NFL officials, owners, team presidents and coaches about league policies and playing rules.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deliberation
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Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Stermer was found guilty after seven hours of deliberation, according to WWMT.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Riggs, the incumbent in the race who has recused herself from the court’s deliberations, is ahead of Griffin by less than 1,000 votes.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
The event features deliberations among NFL officials, owners, team presidents and coaches about league policies and playing rules.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 11 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 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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