What does meditate mean?
Meditate means to think about a subject carefully, deeply, and often quietly. In everyday use, it describes concentrating on an idea, problem, or decision: a person might meditate on whether to accept a job offer or examine the consequences of a choice. The word also has a well-established contemplative sense associated with meditation practices, whether religious, spiritual, or secular. In this usage, meditate refers not merely to thinking about a topic but to adopting a calm, attentive, and focused mental state. Meditate is common in both formal and informal English in Britain and the United States. It often appears with the preposition “on,” as in “meditate on the future,” although it can also stand alone when the activity rather than a particular subject is emphasized. Unlike the simpler word think, meditate suggests depth, concentration, and deliberate attention. Its associations with inward reflection and mental discipline make it especially useful when discussing contemplation, mindfulness, and thoughtful decision-making.
verbTo think about something carefully and deeply, especially in a calm, focused manner. It can also refer to engaging in spiritual or reflective contemplation.
- To think about something carefully and deeply.
- To engage in calm, focused, or spiritual contemplation.
"He sat by the window to meditate on the decision that lay before him."
"She meditated on the advice before making her final decision."
"Each morning, he meditates briefly before beginning the day's work."
Meditate comes from Latin meditari, “to ponder”—the same root that produced meditation and meditative.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does meditate come from?
Meditate was borrowed into Middle English from Latin meditari, meaning “to ponder, consider, or reflect on,” a verb associated with the Latin root mederi, “to heal or treat.” The English word developed the general sense of thoughtful reflection alongside the established religious and contemplative sense. The same Latin source underlies English forms such as meditation, meditative, and premeditation.
Related word forms
How meditate is actually used
The word is neutral in register and is common in everyday discussion as well as formal, educational, religious, and therapeutic contexts. Meditating on a subject emphasizes sustained reflection, while its broader use can suggest a structured practice of mental or spiritual contemplation.
Easily confused with meditate
To meditate is to reflect deeply on a subject, whereas to mediate is to help resolve a disagreement or negotiate between parties.