Deliberation is careful, thoughtful consideration before making a decision. When a jury goes into deliberation after a trial, they discuss the evidence, weigh different perspectives, and think through what they heard before reaching a verdict.

The word suggests taking your time to think something through rather than rushing to judgment. When your school principal deliberates about a new policy, she's considering how it will affect students, teachers, and parents. She might ask questions, imagine different scenarios, and think about unintended consequences.

Deliberation is different from just thinking or daydreaming. It's purposeful thinking aimed at making a wise choice. If you're choosing between two summer camps, deliberation means listing pros and cons, imagining what each experience would be like, maybe talking it over with your parents, and then deciding.

The word can also describe how someone speaks or moves: deliberate (with the accent on “lib”) means slow and careful. A scientist might work with deliberate movements when handling fragile equipment. Someone with a deliberate speaking style chooses their words carefully, pausing to think before answering.