Noun

Singular contentment

Plural uncountable

contentment (uncountable)

1. the state or degree of being contented
   • 1908: Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

     Then they got out their boat from the boat-house, sculled down the river home, and at a very late hour sat down to supper in their own cosy riverside parlour, to the Rat's great joy and contentment.

2. happiness in one's situation; satisfaction
3. the neuro-physiological experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situation, body, and/or mind.

Antonyms

• discontentment

Contentment is the experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situation.

Judaism

Some of the earliest references to the state of contentment are found in the reference to the midah (personal attribute) of Samayach B’Chelko. The expression comes from the word samayach (root Sin-Mem-Chet) meaning "happiness, joy or contentment", and chelko (root Chet-Lamed-Kuf) meaning "portion, lot, or piece", and combined mean contentment with one’s lot in life. The attribute is referred to in the Mishnahic source which says

“Ben Zoma said: Who is rich? Those who are happy with their portion.”

The origins of contentment in Jewish culture reflect an even older thinking reflected in the Book of Proverbs which says,

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face; A sad heart makes a despondent mood. All the days of a poor person are wretched, but contentment is a feast without end.

The issue of contentment remained in Jewish thinking during the Middle Ages as evident for example in the writings of Solomon Ibn Gabirol, an eleventh-century Spanish poet-philosopher who taught,

Who seeks more than he needs, hinders himself from enjoying what he has. Seek what you need and give up what you need not. For in giving up what you don’t need, you’ll learn what you really do need.

Christianity

Jesus taught: 'I came that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest' Gospel of John 10:10