meditate Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb reflect deeply on a subject
ponder; ruminate; mull; muse; think over; reflect; contemplate; chew over; mull over; excogitate; speculate.
- I mulled over the events of the afternoon
- philosophers have speculated on the question of God for thousands of years
- The scientist must stop to observe and start to excogitate
verb think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
contemplate; study.
- He is meditating in his study

L. meditatus, p. p. of meditari to meditate; cf. Gr. to learn, E. mind.

imperfect & past participle Meditated ; present participle & verbal noun Meditating

To keep the mind in a state of contemplation; to dwell on anything in thought; to think seriously; to muse; to cogitate; to reflect. Jer. Taylor.
In his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps. i. 2.

To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study. "Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things." Ecclus. xiv. 20.
To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving in the mind; as, to meditate a war.
I meditate to pass the remainder of life in a state of undisturbed repose. Washington.
Syn. -- To consider; ponder; weigh; revolve; study. -- To Meditate, Contemplate, Intend. We meditate a design when we are looking out or waiting for the means of its accomplishment; we contemplate it when the means are at hand, and our decision is nearly or quite made. To intend is stronger, implying that we have decided to act when an opportunity may offer. A general meditates an attack upon the enemy; he contemplates or intends undertaking it at the earliest convenient season.