noun

rumination

roo-mi-NAY-shuhn

Rumination (noun) means the habit of going over the same distressing thought again and again without ever reaching a resolution. Example: “Rumination keeps the argument alive in your head long after it ended.”

noun

psychology The habit of going over the same distressing thought again and again without ever reaching a resolution.

"Rumination keeps the argument alive in your head long after it ended."

"Therapy focused on breaking the cycle of rumination that fed her depression."

Long, careful thought about a subject, or a piece of writing that records it.

"The book is a quiet rumination on grief and gardening."

zoology In cattle, sheep and similar animals, the process of bringing partly digested food back up and chewing it again.

"Rumination allows a cow to extract nutrients from grass that other animals cannot digest."

How to use rumination

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTurning the same thought over and over in your head.

When to use it

Sense 1 is clinical, sense 2 literary; both are common.

Memory tip

The verb is ruminate, and it takes on or about: to ruminate on a decision.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

reflection → worry → obsession →

Common pairings

depressive rumination cycle of rumination rumination on death

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “rumination” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ keeps the argument alive in your head long after it ended.

Etymology

From Latin ruminari "to chew the cud, turn over in the mind", from rumen "throat, gullet".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

brooding overthinking dwelling reflection meditation contemplation musing

Related words

home house thought thinking attention expression wondering consideration

Rhymes for rumination

region billion ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension

See all rhymes for rumination →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between rumination and reflection?

Reflection moves forward: you examine what happened, learn something and reach a conclusion. Rumination loops: the same thoughts and questions repeat without resolution and usually leave you feeling worse than when you started.

How do you stop ruminating?

Techniques that work for most people involve interrupting the loop rather than arguing with it: getting up and doing something physical or absorbing, setting aside a fixed short window for worry, or writing the thought down so the mind stops rehearsing it. Persistent rumination linked to low mood is worth raising with a doctor or therapist.

What is the meaning of rumination?

"rumination" (noun) means the habit of going over the same distressing thought again and again without ever reaching a resolution.

What is another word for rumination?

Other words for "rumination" include brooding, overthinking, dwelling, reflection, meditation, contemplation.

People also searched

home house thought thinking attention expression wondering consideration