meditation

noun

med·​i·​ta·​tion ˌme-də-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce meditation (audio)
Synonyms of meditationnext
1
: a discourse intended to express its author's reflections or to guide others in contemplation
2
: the act or process of meditating
… the meditation out of which this novel has come.—Granville Hicks

Synonyms of meditation

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Examples of meditation in a Sentence

She spent the morning in meditation. Daily meditation helps clear his mind.
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Weaver says he's tried nearly every treatment for PTSD the VA offers including talk therapy, exposure therapy, meditation, and antidepressants. — Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026 Practicing meditation, visualization, or deep breathing may help in distracting from the discomfort of a full bladder for a short time. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026 Other common practices among Druids include the celebration of seasonal festivals, meditation, and divination. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 Inspired by the writing of Thomas Hardy, with a score by Gordon, To Sorrow was a meditation on humanity’s self-isolation from nature. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meditation

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of meditation was in the 13th century

Rhymes for meditation

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Browse Nearby Words

meditatingly
meditation
meditative
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Cite this Entry

“Meditation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meditation. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

meditation

noun
med·​i·​ta·​tion ˌmed-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce meditation (audio)
: the act or an instance of meditating

More from Merriam-Webster on meditation

Nglish: Translation of meditation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meditation

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