MEDITATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does meditation mean? 

• MEDITATION (noun)
  The noun MEDITATION has 2 senses:

1. continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

2. (religion) contemplation of spiritual matters (usually on religious or philosophical subjects)

  Familiarity information: MEDITATION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MEDITATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

meditation; speculation

Context example:

the habit of meditation is the basis for all real knowledge

Hypernyms ("meditation" is a kind of...):

contemplation; musing; reflection; reflexion; rumination; thoughtfulness (a calm, lengthy, intent consideration)

Derivation:

meditate (reflect deeply on a subject)

meditate (think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(religion) contemplation of spiritual matters (usually on religious or philosophical subjects)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("meditation" is a kind of...):

contemplation; musing; reflection; reflexion; rumination; thoughtfulness (a calm, lengthy, intent consideration)

Domain category:

faith; religion; religious belief (a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny)

Derivation:

meditate (think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes)

 Context examples 

Either way, the situation seems to involve money as the main topic or in parallel to a discussion and meditation about your steady sweetheart, one of your children, or a pregnancy.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

At length he appeared; and, whatever might have been the gloom of his meditations, he could still smile with them.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

I was standing close to him, looking at him; and still, with a heavy brow, he was lost in his meditations.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Elizabeth awoke the next morning to the same thoughts and meditations which had at length closed her eyes.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Neither rocked any more, and they seemed to have fallen into placid meditation.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

"St. John!" I exclaimed, when I had got so far in my meditation.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Results from a new study demonstrate that mindfulness meditation works on a different pain pathway in the brain than opioid pain relievers.

(Scientists discover non-opioid pain pathway in the brain, NIH)

Meditation may help relax the body and mind and improve overall health and well-being.

(Meditation, NCI Dictionary)

Emma's pensive meditations, as she walked home, were not interrupted; but on entering the parlour, she found those who must rouse her.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

He was sitting in an attitude of deep meditation, and seemed not to hear her.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)