To meditate means to focus your mind deeply and calmly, usually by sitting quietly and paying careful attention to your breathing, a specific thought, or the present moment. When someone meditates, they might close their eyes and concentrate on breathing in and out slowly, letting distracting thoughts drift away like clouds passing overhead.

People meditate for different reasons. Some do it to calm down when feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Others meditate to think more clearly about a problem or decision. Many religious traditions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, use meditation as a spiritual practice to feel more connected to something greater than themselves.

Meditation takes practice. At first, your mind might wander constantly, thinking about homework, what's for dinner, or an argument with a friend. That's completely normal. The skill comes from noticing when your mind wanders and gently bringing your attention back, over and over. Even a few minutes of meditation can help you feel calmer and more focused.

The word can also mean thinking deeply about something. A scientist might meditate on a challenging problem, or you might meditate on what kind of person you want to become. This kind of meditation means giving something your full, careful attention and turning it over in your mind from different angles.