# deliberation

/dɪˌɫɪbɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /dɪlˌɪbəɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deliberation
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. careful thought

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of thinking long and hard about something before making a choice.

For teachers: the act of weighing and examining the reasons for and against a choice; mature reflection or careful consideration.

- After much deliberation, she decided to turn down the job offer.
- The board reached its conclusion only after hours of quiet deliberation, ensuring every potential risk had been thoroughly evaluated.

Usage: Often used in the singular with 'much' or 'long'.

### 2. formal discussion

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a formal meeting or discussion where a group talks about all sides of an issue.

For teachers: the formal discussion and examination of the reasons for and against a measure, typically by a jury or committee.

- The jury began their deliberations late on Tuesday afternoon.
- The treaty was the result of years of intense diplomatic deliberations between the two nations.

Usage: Frequently used in the plural when referring to a jury or a committee.

## Examples

- After hours of deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict.
- The board spent the entire afternoon in deliberation before deciding to reject the merger proposal.
- The committee's final report was the result of months of intense deliberation, reflecting a careful balance between economic necessity and environmental preservation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.