deliberates

Deliberates is the third-person singular present tense of the verb deliberate. It means to think about something carefully, or to discuss and weigh options before making a decision. In everyday use, a person deliberates when considering the pros and cons of a choice; in formal settings, a committee or panel deliberates before voting or finalizing a plan.

In usage, deliberates often accompanies phrases such as deliberates on or deliberates about a topic. It can describe processes in law and governance, where juries or legislative bodies deliberate to determine a verdict or policy. For example, a council deliberates the merits of a proposed ordinance, while a jury deliberates for hours before reaching a verdict.

Etymology and related terms: the verb comes from Latin deliberare, meaning “to weigh carefully,” formed from de- plus libra, relating to scales. Related forms include deliberate (as a verb in the base form, and as an adjective meaning intentional or careful) and deliberation, the noun for the act of weighing or discussing options. Deliberates and its related forms are commonly used in both everyday decision making and formal decision processes.

See also: deliberation, deliberate. Examples: She deliberates the best course of action; the panel deliberates on the proposal.