deliberation

noun

de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion di-ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce deliberation (audio)
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 How to pronounce deliberation (audio)
-ˈli-b(ə-)rə-
adjective
deliberatively adverb
deliberativeness noun

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 The board is drawing closer to announcing new members following the dramatic November overhaul of the company’s governance, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deliberations are private. Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 The practical effect of the Court’s deliberation on the timing of the case is also being exaggerated. The Editors, National Review, 1 Mar. 2024 Jurors reached their verdict after seven days of testimony and a day and a half of deliberation. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024 But both experts said five or six days of deliberations on a civil case of this size is reasonable. Melissa Chan, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024 The trial reportedly lasted two weeks and the jury delivered a verdict after about one day of deliberation that began Wednesday. Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024 Congress, in its deliberations over the coming weeks, needs to confront the reality of chronic trillion-dollar deficits and the economic/social ripple effects of the extraordinary interventions all that red ink enables. Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Defense attorneys countered that, despite constitutional limits on questioning a jury about deliberations, there’s no reason why the two jurors with doubts about their verdicts cannot be polled again by the judge. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024 The jury began deliberations Friday morning in a case that spotlights one of the most powerful lobbying groups in a nation with more civilian guns than people. Sabrina Souza, CNN, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deliberation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see deliberate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near deliberation

Cite this Entry

“Deliberation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deliberation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deliberation

noun
de·​lib·​er·​a·​tion di-ˌlib-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce deliberation (audio)
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 How to pronounce deliberation (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on deliberation

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