Dictionary

meditate

verb med·i·tate \ˈme-də-ˌtāt\

: to spend time in quiet thought for religious purposes or relaxation

med·i·tat·edmed·i·tat·ing

Full Definition of MEDITATE

intransitive verb
1
:  to engage in contemplation or reflection
2
:  to engage in mental exercise (as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness
transitive verb
1
:  to focus one's thoughts on :  reflect on or ponder over
2
:  to plan or project in the mind :  intend, purpose
med·i·ta·tor \-ˌtā-tər\ noun
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Origin of MEDITATE

Latin meditatus, past participle of meditari, frequentative of medēri to remedy — more at medical
First Known Use: 1560

Synonym Discussion of MEDITATE

ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate mean to consider or examine attentively or deliberately. ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter <pondered the course of action>. meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply <meditated on the meaning of life>. muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance <mused upon childhood joys>. ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption <ruminated on past disappointments>.

Rhymes with MEDITATE

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MEDITATED Defined for Kids

meditate

verb med·i·tate \ˈme-də-ˌtāt\
med·i·tat·edmed·i·tat·ing

Definition of MEDITATE for Kids

1
:  to consider carefully :  plan <Here I meditated nothing but my escape … — Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe>
2
:  to spend time in quiet thinking :  reflect

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