contemplation

contemplation — noun

1. the activity of thinking seriously and calmly about something for a long time, o

1.nounB2
Definition

the activity of thinking seriously and calmly about something for a long time, often without speaking or moving

Example

After the funeral, Arjun sat by the river in quiet contemplation.

collocation: 'in quiet contemplation'

Hui's face had a look of deep contemplation as she studied the ancient poem.

collocation: 'deep contemplation'

Common collocations
  • deep contemplation
  • quiet contemplation
  • in contemplation
  • lost in contemplation
  • contemplation of [topic]
  • a state of contemplation
Synonyms
  • reflection

    more personal and everyday; does not imply as much stillness or length

  • meditation

    more structured or spiritual; often a deliberate practice rather than a spontaneous state

  • thought

    more general; can refer to any mental activity, not necessarily deep or prolonged

Antonyms
  • distraction

    the opposite mental state, where attention is scattered

  • inattention

    failure to direct one's mind to something

Grammar Patterns

in contemplation

in contemplation of [abstract topic]

lost in contemplation

Usage Note

Typically uncountable. Often appears in fixed phrases such as 'in contemplation' and 'lost in contemplation' to describe a silent, absorbed mental state. Common in formal, literary, and reflective registers.

Common Mistakes

I sat in a contemplation all afternoon.
I sat in contemplation all afternoon.
Contemplation is uncountable; do not add 'a' before it.
He spent an hour with contemplation about the universe.
He spent an hour in contemplation of the universe.
The correct preposition pattern is 'in contemplation of', not 'with contemplation about.'

2. the act of watching someone or something steadily and carefully, taking in what

2.nounC1
Definition

the act of watching someone or something steadily and carefully, taking in what you see over a long period

Example

Otis stood before the painting for an hour in silent contemplation of its brushstrokes.

collocation: 'in silent contemplation of [artwork]'

The scientist's patient contemplation of the cell structure revealed a new pattern.

Common collocations
  • silent contemplation
  • patient contemplation
  • contemplation of [concrete object]
  • in contemplation of [scene]
Synonyms
  • observation

    more general and neutral; does not carry the same connotation of calm, sustained attention

  • gazing

    more physical and less intellectual; focuses on the act of looking rather than thoughtful noticing

Antonyms
  • glance

    a brief, casual look — the opposite of sustained attention

  • disregard

    deliberate inattention to something visible

Grammar Patterns

contemplation of [concrete object]

in contemplation of [visual scene]

Usage Note

Typically followed by 'of' to specify what is being observed visually. More frequent in descriptive, artistic, and scientific writing than in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

Her contemplation on the mountains lasted an hour.
Her contemplation of the mountains lasted an hour.
Use 'contemplation of', not 'contemplation on', for visual observation.
A scholar's contemplations of the document were thorough.
A scholar's contemplation of the document was thorough.
This sense is uncountable even when the observation is detailed.
Idioms

in contemplation

idiom

Something that is being thought about or planned.

A new park is in contemplation for the empty lot.

The merger has been in contemplation for several months.

Word family

  • contemplate
    verbB2
  • contemplative
    adjectiveC1
  • contemplatively
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Contemplation suggests deep, quiet, often motionless thinking — the mind is absorbed in a single idea or scene. Reflection is more personal and backward-looking: you turn experiences over in your mind, often to understand them better. Meditation implies a disciplined or spiritual practice — sitting with eyes closed and focusing the mind, sometimes on a mantra, breath, or religious concept. Deliberation is slower and more goal-oriented: you weigh pros and cons before making a decision. For example, a monk might engage in contemplation of a sacred text, while a student reflects on a lesson from the day. A practitioner of mindfulness meditation focuses on the breath, and a jury engages in deliberation before reaching a verdict. Each word differs in stillness, purpose, and the kind of mental activity involved.

contemplation ↗reflection ↗meditation ↗deliberation

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • lost in contemplation
  • deep in contemplation
  • in quiet contemplation

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Contemplation comes from the Latin word contemplatio, which meant 'the act of looking at something closely'. This was formed from contemplari, meaning 'to gaze at' or 'to observe'. The root templum referred to a space marked out in the sky or on the ground for observing birds (a religious practice in ancient Rome for reading omens). Over time, the meaning shifted from physical looking to mental looking — thinking about things deeply rather than just seeing them. English adopted the word in the 13th–14th century, first for religious meditation and later for any kind of deep thought.