contemplate meaning and definition

CONTEMPLATE verb

Definition of contemplate (verb)

1. look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
   • "contemplate one's navel"
2. consider as a possibility
   • "I contemplated leaving school and taking a full-time job"
3. think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
   • "He is meditating in his study"
   • synonyms: meditate, study
4. reflect deeply on a subject
   • "I mulled over the events of the afternoon"; "philosophers have speculated on the question of God for thousands of years"; "The scientist must stop to observe and start to excogitate"
   • synonyms: chew over, excogitate, meditate, mull, mull over, muse, ponder, reflect, ruminate, speculate, think over