meditation

[med-i-tey-shuh n] /ˌmɛd ɪˈteɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of meditating.
2.
continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation.
3.
transcendental meditation.
4.
devout religious contemplation or spiritual introspection.
Origin
1175-1225; < Latin meditātiōn- (stem of meditātiō) a thinking over (see meditate, -ion); replacing Middle English meditacioun < Anglo-French < Latin, as above
Examples from the web for meditation
  • We are looking at whether or not telomerase changes after a three-month program of meditation.
  • Instead, it offers a meditation on mankind's addiction to state violence.
  • Regular meditation may increase smarts and stave off aging, according to an ongoing study.
  • Linear time disappears in favor of a poetic meditation upon the object, and within it, a curious juxtaposition of imagery.
  • Strolling through one is almost as calming as meditation.
  • The work is a meditation on the nature of secrecy and the elusiveness of truth, its message written entirely in code.
  • The result is not only a fascinating travelogue, but also a personal meditation on loss and fate.
  • The poem is a meditation on the impermanence of human deeds when compared to nature.
  • There is plenty to indicate that relaxation and meditation can ease some kinds of pain.
  • When he did speak, his words were the product of long meditation.
British Dictionary definitions for meditation

meditation

/ˌmɛdɪˈteɪʃən/
noun
1.
the act of meditating; contemplation; reflection
2.
contemplation of spiritual matters, esp as a religious practice
Word Origin and History for meditation
n.

c.1200, "contemplation; devout preoccupation; devotions, prayer," from Old French meditacion "thought, reflection, study," and directly from Latin meditationem (nominative meditatio) "a thinking over, meditation," noun of action from past participle stem of meditari "to meditate, think over, reflect, consider," frequentative form from PIE root *med- "to measure, limit, consider, advise, take appropriate measures" (cf. Greek medesthai "think about," medon "ruler;" Latin modus "measure, manner," modestus "moderate," modernus "modern," mederi "to heal," medicus "physician;" Sanskrit midiur "I judge, estimate;" Welsh meddwl "mind, thinking;" Gothic miton, Old English metan "to measure;" also see medical).

Meaning "discourse on a subject" is early 14c.; meaning "act of meditating, continuous calm thought upon some subject" is from late 14c. The Latin verb also had stronger senses: "plan, devise, practice, rehearse, study."