1 a (+ object) : to think deeply or carefully about (something)
I stopped to contemplate (=ponder) what might have happened.
He contemplated the meaning of the poem for a long time.
Life without them is too awful to contemplate. (=too awful to even think about)
b (no object) : to think deeply
I’d like some time to just sit and contemplate.
2 (+ object) : to think about doing (something) : CONSIDER
She’s contemplating moving to the city. = She’s contemplating a move to the city.
They’re contemplating marriage. (=they’re thinking about getting married)
3 (+ object) : to look carefully at (something)
She stood and quietly contemplated the scene that lay before her.