The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Contemplation \Con`tem*pla"tion\, n. [F. contemplation, L.
   contemplatio.]
   1. The act of the mind in considering with attention;
      continued attention of the mind to a particular subject;
      meditation; musing; study.
      [1913 Webster]

            In contemplation of created things,
            By steps we may ascend to God.        --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            Contemplation is keeping the idea which is brought
            into the mind for some time actually in view.
                                                  --Locke.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Holy meditation. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            To live in prayer and contemplation.  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. The act of looking forward to an event as about to happen;
      expectation; the act of intending or purposing.
      [1913 Webster]

            In contemplation of returning at an early date, he
            left.                                 --Reid.
      [1913 Webster]

   To have in contemplation, to inted or purpose, or to have
      under consideration.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

contemplation
    n 1: a long and thoughtful observation
    2: a calm, lengthy, intent consideration [syn: contemplation,
       reflection, reflexion, rumination, musing,
       thoughtfulness]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

211 Moby Thesaurus words for "contemplation":
   Angelus, Ave, Ave Maria, Hail Mary, Kyrie Eleison, Paternoster,
   a wise passiveness, absorbed attention, absorption, advisement,
   aid prayer, anticipation, appeal, application, ataraxia, ataraxy,
   beadroll, beads, beseechment, bidding prayer, boning, brainwork,
   breviary, brooding, calmness, certainty, chaplet, collect,
   communion, composure, concentration, confidence, conning,
   consideration, contemplative life, counsel, cram, cramming,
   deep study, deep thought, deliberation, devotions, discretion,
   do-nothing policy, do-nothingism, do-nothingness, dormancy, drill,
   engagement, engrossment, entreaty, envisagement, envisionment,
   examination, exercise, expectancy, expectation, extensive study,
   eyeball inspection, farseeingness, farsightedness, forecast,
   foreglance, foregleam, foreglimpse, forehandedness, foreseeing,
   foresight, foresightedness, grace, grind, grinding, headwork,
   idleness, immersion, imminence, immobility, imperturbability,
   impetration, imploration, inaction, inactivity, indolence, inertia,
   inertness, inspection, intentness, intercession, invocation,
   involvement, laissez-aller, laissez-faire, laissez-faireism,
   litany, longsightedness, looking ahead, lucid stillness,
   lucubration, marmoreal repose, meditation, mental labor, monomania,
   musing, neutralism, neutrality, neutralness, nirvana,
   noninvolvement, nonparticipation, nonresistance, nonviolence,
   nonviolent resistance, obsecration, obsession, obtestation,
   ocular inspection, orison, overview, pacifism, paralysis,
   passive resistance, passive self-annihilation, passiveness,
   passivism, passivity, peace, peacefulness, perusal, petition,
   placidity, placidness, policy, pondering, practice, prayer,
   prayer wheel, prediction, preoccupation, preparation,
   prepublication, preview, prevision, probability, procrastination,
   profound thought, prospect, prospection, providence, provision,
   prudence, quiescence, quiescency, quiet, quietism, quietness,
   quietude, rapt attention, readiness, reading, reflection, reliance,
   repose, rest, restfulness, restudy, restudying, review, revolving,
   rogation, rosary, rumination, sagacity, satori, scrutiny, serenity,
   silence, silent prayer, silken repose, single-mindedness, sleep,
   slumber, speculation, stagnancy, stagnation, standpattism, stasis,
   stillness, studiousness, study, studying, subject, submersion,
   suit, supplication, survey, swotting, thanks, thanksgiving,
   the eye, thought, tranquillity, unastonishment, vegetation,
   vetting, visual examination, vita contemplativa, waiting game,
   watching and waiting, weighing, wide reading, wise passiveness