Consideration

How to spell consideration

13 letters · 5 syllables

How to pronounce consideration

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does consideration mean?

1. nounCareful thought or deliberation about something before reaching a decision.
2. nounThoughtful and considerate regard for the needs or feelings of others.
3. nounA fact or factor that is taken into account when making a judgement.

Consideration in a sentence

• The proposal is still under consideration by the board.

• Out of consideration for the neighbours, they kept the music low.

• Cost was the deciding consideration in their choice of supplier.

• After much consideration, she accepted the new job offer.

• He showed great consideration for his elderly clients.

• Safety is the most important consideration when buying a car.

Where does consideration come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word traces back to the Latin verb considerare, meaning 'to look at closely' or 'to examine'. Many scholars believe it was originally an astrological term, since it appears to combine con- (a strengthening prefix) with sidus, the Latin word for a star or constellation, suggesting the careful observation of the stars before making a decision. From this came the abstract noun consideratio, meaning a careful examination or reflection. English took the word through Old French in the 1300s, where it carried the sense of thoughtful attention. Over time it broadened to mean both the act of thinking something over and the polite regard one shows for other people, and even the payment or recompense given in a contract, a sense lawyers still use today. The hidden -sider- in the middle, with its single s and the easily dropped second syllable, is the main spelling trap.

How the word is built

• con- (intensive, thoroughly)
• sider (from sidus: star/constellation)
• -ation (noun-forming suffix)