# meditation

/ˌmɛdəˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /mˌɛdɪtˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/meditation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. mental practice

noun · CEFR B1

the act of spending time in quiet thought to relax or for religious reasons.

For teachers: the practice of mental focus or controlled breathing to achieve a state of relaxation, clarity, or spiritual awareness.

- She practices ten minutes of meditation every morning to help manage her stress.
- Daily meditation has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and improve emotional regulation in high-stress professional environments.

### 2. deep thought

noun · CEFR B2

serious and careful thought about something.

For teachers: the process of deep, sustained reflection or serious consideration of a subject.

- After much meditation on the problem, he finally found a solution.
- The decision was reached only after long meditation on the ethical implications of the new corporate policy.

### 3. written or spoken discourse

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

a long speech or piece of writing that looks deeply at a subject.

For teachers: a formal discourse, either written or spoken, that explores a philosophical or religious theme in a contemplative manner.

- The professor published a short meditation on the nature of justice.
- His latest book is a profound meditation on the decline of traditional craftsmanship in the digital age.

## Examples

- Daily meditation helps me reduce stress after work.
- The monk spent several hours in deep meditation every morning before the sun rose over the temple.
- While often associated with spiritual traditions, secular forms of meditation have gained popularity in clinical settings as a method for managing chronic anxiety and improving emotional regulation.

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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.