The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word RUMINATE
R
U
M
I
N
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result RUMINATE
- Spreading manure? It's what some on farm do
- Consider carefully, hearing of space in boat
- Ponder upon team in trouble after game
- Mull over refurbishment of planetarium; oddly, pillar needs removing
- Seriously consider space in rowing team, after audition?
- Consider strange because of stewed tea
- Ponder alcohol in stewed tea
- Ponder booze I put away touring north
- Mull over strange case after maiden disappears
- After a drink at home, had something to contemplate
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "to contemplate" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to contemplate = ruminate.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does RUMINATE mean?
RUMINATE verb- To chew cud. (Said of ruminants.) Involves regurgitating partially digested food from the rumen.
- To meditate or reflect.
- To meditate or ponder over; to muse on.
- Having a hard albumen penetrated by irregular channels filled with softer matter, as the nutmeg and the seeds of the North American papaw.