considération

Considération is a French noun that broadly denotes the act of considering something or the state of being regarded with attention, interest, or esteem. The word derives from Latin consideratio, via Old French considération, and has long been used to signal both cognitive evaluation and the respect or regard shown to people or ideas.

In ordinary use, considération refers to attention or regard given to a person, issue, or fact. It appears in phrases such as prendre en considération (to take into account) or accorder de la considération à quelqu’un (to give someone consideration or respect). It also connotes thoughtfulness and courtesy, as in faire preuve de considération envers autrui (to show consideration for others) and in expressions of esteem, such as avoir de la considération pour quelqu’un.

In philosophy and ethics, considération can denote moral consideration, the ethical concern for the welfare or interests of others. This sense often contrasts with indifférence or négligence and is used to discuss how beings capable of suffering deserve attention and respect in moral reasoning and policy.

Usage notes and cross-language comparison: In English, the cognate term consideration carries a technical legal sense in contract law (something of value exchanged). The French equivalents are typically considered as contrepartie or valeur échangée for that legal meaning, while considération remains a general term for attention, care, or esteem in everyday language.