meditation
C1Neutral to formal, can be used in all registers depending on context.
Definition
Meaning
The practice of focusing your mind, often in silence, to train attention, achieve calm, or gain spiritual insight.
A state of deep thought or contemplation about a specific subject.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes the practice (uncountable) but can refer to a specific session (countable). Often associated with wellness, spirituality, or self-improvement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Equally common in both cultures, with strong associations to mindfulness movements.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the prominence of the 'mindfulness' trend in popular culture.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
meditation on [topic]meditation for [purpose]meditation through [method]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lost in meditation”
- “A meditation on [something] (a considered piece of writing/art)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contexts of corporate wellness programs: 'The company offers lunchtime meditation sessions to reduce stress.'
Academic
Used in psychology, religious studies, and philosophy: 'The study examined the neural correlates of focused-attention meditation.'
Everyday
Common in discussions about health and routine: 'I try to do 10 minutes of meditation before starting my day.'
Technical
In spiritual/religious contexts with specific forms (e.g., Vipassana, Zen): 'The retreat focused on silent meditation.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He meditates for twenty minutes each morning.
- She was meditating in the garden.
American English
- I need to meditate on that before I decide.
- They meditate to clear their heads.
adverb
British English
- She sat meditatively by the window.
- He answered meditatively after a long pause.
American English
- The speaker talked meditatively about peace.
- She walked meditatively through the park.
adjective
British English
- The meditation room was beautifully quiet.
- She follows a meditation practice.
American English
- He attended a meditation retreat in California.
- The meditation app is very popular.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Meditation is good for you.
- She likes meditation.
- I find that daily meditation helps me relax.
- Have you ever tried guided meditation?
- His latest book is a profound meditation on the nature of time and mortality.
- The research substantiates the claim that consistent meditation can induce neuroplastic changes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MEDIcine for the soul + concenTRATION = MEDITATION. It's like medicine for your mind through concentration.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A LAKE (meditation calms the waters), THINKING IS A JOURNEY (meditation is an inward journey).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'meditatsiya' in overly formal/spiritual contexts; 'meditation' is broader. 'Razmyshlenie' is better for 'contemplation' aspect.
- Do not confuse with 'contemplation' which is less structured.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a verb ('I meditation every day' is wrong; use 'I meditate').
- Confusing 'meditation' (practice) with 'mediation' (conflict resolution).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common collocation with 'meditation'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually uncountable when referring to the practice in general ('Meditation is beneficial'). It can be countable when referring to specific instances or types ('She led two different meditations').
'Meditation' is the broader practice or activity of training the mind. 'Mindfulness' is a specific quality of awareness (being present) and is also a type of meditation focused on cultivating that quality.
Yes, it is widely used in secular health, wellness, and psychological contexts to refer to mental exercise for focus and stress reduction.
The verb is 'to meditate'. 'Meditation' is the noun.
Collections
Part of a collection
Health and Wellness
B1 · 49 words · Physical and mental health vocabulary.
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