meditated

Meditated is the past tense and past participle of the verb meditate. In general use, it can refer to engaging in meditation—a deliberate practice of training attention and awareness through techniques such as focused breathing, visualization, or the repetition of a phrase—as well as to thinking deeply about a matter, reflecting or pondering.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin meditari, meaning “to think over, consider,” from med- “to think” and related roots tied to the mind. The term has been in English since the late medieval period, with its sense gradually extending from contemplation to modern meditative practices.

Context and usage: Meditation appears across many religious and secular traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, and contemporary mindfulness movements. Techniques vary but commonly involve quieting the body, focusing attention on breath or a chosen object, and observing thoughts with nonjudgmental awareness. The past tense “meditated” is used regardless of tradition or method.

Usage notes: The phrase “meditated on” or “meditated upon” signals sustained contemplation about a decision or issue. Phrases such as “a meditated response” are less common; more typical are expressions like someone who “meditated before answering” or “spent time meditating.” Research on meditation has explored potential benefits for stress reduction, attention, and emotional regulation, but findings often depend on the method and population studied and are not universally conclusive.