Consideration Meaning
Consideration Definition & Usage
The act of thinking carefully about something, especially before making a decision.
Examples
- "After much consideration, she decided to accept the job offer."
- "The committee needs to give more consideration to the budget before finalizing the plans."
- "He took into consideration all the factors before making his decision."
- "In consideration of your hard work, I’m offering you a promotion."
- "The team spent hours in consideration of the best strategy to use for the project."
The regard or respect for someone's feelings, rights, or needs.
Examples
- "It’s important to show consideration for others when they’re going through difficult times."
- "She showed great consideration by holding the door open for everyone."
- "He made a point of showing consideration by offering to help with the heavy boxes."
- "In any workplace, consideration for colleagues is essential for a harmonious environment."
- "Their considerate behavior towards the elderly was appreciated by all."
Something of value, such as money, that is offered in exchange for something else, especially in contracts or agreements.
Examples
- "The consideration for this agreement is the sum of $10,000."
- "In business contracts, both parties must provide consideration for the agreement to be valid."
- "The company offered free services as consideration for a partnership agreement."
- "A valid contract requires mutual consideration between the parties involved."
- "The contract was considered void because no consideration was provided."
Cultural Context
The word 'consideration' comes from the Latin 'consideratio', meaning 'a weighing of the matter' or 'careful thought'. It has evolved into several different meanings in contemporary English, depending on context. In addition to its use in decision-making and social etiquette, it has a key role in legal terms, particularly in contract law, where it refers to something of value exchanged between parties.
The Price of Consideration
Story
The Price of Consideration
Maggie had always been known for her deep thoughtfulness. When the company she worked for asked her to head up the new marketing team, she took the offer into careful consideration. She weighed her current job's stability, the opportunity for growth, and the personal toll the move might take. Yet, her decision wasn’t just about her. It was also about the well-being of her team. On a rainy Tuesday morning, Maggie sat down in the conference room with her colleagues. The project proposal was on the table, but before they could proceed, there was a long pause. Each person seemed to be considering something. Finally, Sarah spoke up, ‘I think we need to reconsider the timeline; some of us have personal commitments.’ Maggie nodded. This wasn’t the first time Sarah had raised such an issue, and Maggie appreciated the consideration. She thought about it carefully before agreeing. ‘You’re right, we’ll extend the deadline.’ But as the meeting continued, it was clear that Maggie’s role as a leader required more than just technical expertise—it required an understanding of the deeper needs of her team. Every suggestion she made was tempered by consideration for how it would impact each person’s workload. The legal team had drafted a new partnership agreement with a major supplier. Maggie glanced over the terms, noting that the consideration was a 10% stake in the joint venture. This wasn’t just about the money, though; it was about trust. The offer represented more than just financial value—it symbolized a mutual respect between the two companies. When the day finally came to make her decision, Maggie chose the new role. But it wasn’t just the benefits that swayed her—it was the opportunity to lead a team where every member’s needs would be given the careful consideration they deserved. In her heart, Maggie knew that a leader’s true value lies in the ability to balance both practical and personal considerations, a lesson she had learned well through the years. Her decision rippled through the company in ways she had not anticipated. Her ability to demonstrate consideration for her colleagues, both in the business realm and personal interactions, earned her not just respect, but admiration. The team worked harder for her than they ever had before, and the partnership flourished in ways that surpassed all expectations.