meditation
meh-dih-TAYSHN
Meditation (noun) means a practice of calming and focusing the mind, often through breathing or quiet reflection. Example: “She finds that meditation before bed helps her sleep more peacefully.”
noun
1
A practice of calming and focusing the mind, often through breathing or quiet reflection.
"She finds that meditation before bed helps her sleep more peacefully."
"He starts every day with ten minutes of meditation."
"Meditation has been shown to reduce stress and improve focus."
2
Deep, thoughtful reflection on a subject.
"The poem is a quiet meditation on the passing of time."
"After a long meditation on the question, he changed his mind."
"The essay is a meditation on loss and memory."
How to use meditation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe practice of quieting the mind, or a piece of writing/thought that reflects deeply on a topic.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
practice meditation
guided meditation
a meditation on
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Word forms
- Plural
- meditations
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She finds that _____ before bed helps her sleep more peacefully.
Etymology
From Latin meditātiō, from meditārī ("to reflect upon, consider").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for meditation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for meditation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “meditation” mean?
The word “meditation” means a practice of calming and focusing the mind, often through breathing or quiet reflection. In plain terms, the practice of quieting the mind, or a piece of writing/thought that reflects deeply on a topic.
How do you pronounce “meditation”?
“Meditation” is pronounced meh-dih-TAYSHN (/mɛdɪˈteɪʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “meditation” in a sentence?
Here is “meditation” used in a sentence: “He starts every day with ten minutes of meditation.”
What part of speech is “meditation”?
“Meditation” is a noun.
Where does the word “meditation” come from?
The word “meditation” comes from Latin. From Latin meditātiō, from meditārī ("to reflect upon, consider").
Is “meditation” a common word?
“Meditation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “meditation” have?
“Meditation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a practice of calming and focusing the mind, often through breathing or quiet reflection.
What is the difference between "meditation" and "mindfulness"?
"Meditation" is a broad practice of calming and focusing the mind, usually done in dedicated sessions through breathing or quiet reflection. "Mindfulness" is a quality of present-moment awareness that can be developed through meditation but also applied throughout everyday activities.
What is the difference between "meditation" and "prayer"?
"Meditation" typically involves quieting or focusing the mind and may be entirely secular, whereas "prayer" is usually an act of communication with a god or higher power. Meditation tends to look inward or seek stillness, while prayer addresses someone.
What is the difference between "meditation" and "contemplation"?
Both involve deep, thoughtful reflection. "Meditation" often refers to a structured mental practice for calm and focus, while "contemplation" emphasises sustained, careful thought about a particular subject or idea.
What are common collocations with "meditation"?
"Meditation" often appears in phrases such as "guided meditation," "daily meditation," and "meditation practice." The phrase "a meditation on" describes a written or artistic reflection on a chosen theme.
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