# meditate

/ˈmɛdəˌteɪt/ (US) · /mˈɛdɪtˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/meditate
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to spend time in quiet thought to relax your mind or for religious reasons.

For teachers: to engage in mental exercise, such as concentration on one's breathing or a mantra, for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness or relaxation.

## Examples

- I try to meditate for ten minutes every morning.
- Many people find that they can manage their stress levels better if they meditate regularly in a quiet space.
- While some practitioners meditate to achieve a state of religious enlightenment, others use the technique as a secular tool to improve focus and emotional regulation in high-pressure environments.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am meditating about my breath" but "I am meditating on my breath" — When focusing on a specific object or thought, the verb typically takes the preposition 'on' rather than 'about'.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive when describing the act of mental exercise, but can be transitive when meaning to plan or consider something deeply.

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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.