Consideration in contract law refers to:

Consideration in contract law is fundamentally defined as something of value that is exchanged between the parties involved in a contract. It represents the incentive or reason that parties have for entering into the agreement. This can take various forms, such as money, services, goods, or a promise to act (or refrain from acting) in a certain way. The presence of consideration is essential for a contract to be enforceable, as it demonstrates that both parties are providing something of value and are mutually obligated to fulfill their promises.

In contrast, written documentation, verbal agreements, and the signing of a contract are all related to how a contract may be formalized or communicated, but they do not define the legal concept of consideration. Written documentation refers to the physical or electronic format in which a contract might be recorded, while a verbal agreement involves oral discussions and promises, which can lack the necessary enforceability unless they include consideration. The signing of the contract is a procedural step that indicates acceptance but does not inherently represent the reciprocal value exchange that consideration embodies. Therefore, the correct understanding of consideration is centered on the exchange of valuable components between parties.