reflection
noun
re·flec·tion
ri-ˈflek-shən 
1
: an instance of reflecting
especially
: the return of light or sound waves from a surface
2
: the production of an image by or as if by a mirror
4
: something produced by reflecting: such as
a
: an image given back by a reflecting surface
b
: an effect produced by an influence
the high crime rate is a reflection of our violent society
5
: an often obscure or indirect criticism : reproach
a reflection on his character
6
: a thought, idea, or opinion formed or a remark made as a result of meditation
7
: consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose
8
obsolete
: turning back : return
9
a
: a transformation of a figure in which each point is replaced by a point symmetric with respect to a line or plane
b
: a transformation that involves reflection in more than one axis of a rectangular coordinate system
Examples of reflection in a Sentence
She was looking at her reflection in the mirror.
He saw the reflections of the clouds on the lake.
Recent Examples on the Web
Because at its core, the stock market is a long-term reflection of global economic progress.
—
Carrie McCabe, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Some fans, however, pointed out that the reflection could have been someone else.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Music, after all, has the power to transcend barriers, offering comfort, reflection, and inspiration.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025
What appears as intelligence or understanding or creative thinking is often just the reflection of human knowledge and reasoning that the AI has absorbed in its training data.
—Gabriel Snyder, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflection
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Carrie McCabe, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Some fans, however, pointed out that the reflection could have been someone else.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Music, after all, has the power to transcend barriers, offering comfort, reflection, and inspiration.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025
What appears as intelligence or understanding or creative thinking is often just the reflection of human knowledge and reasoning that the AI has absorbed in its training data.
—Gabriel Snyder, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflection
Cite this Entry
“Reflection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reflection. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reflection
noun
re·flec·tion
ri-ˈflek-shən
1
: an instance of reflecting
especially
: the return of light or sound waves from a surface
2
: the production of an image by or as if by a mirror
3
: an image produced by or as if by a mirror
4
: something that brings blame or disgrace
a reflection on my honesty
5
: an opinion formed or a remark made after careful thought
6
: careful thought
much reflection on the problem
Medical Definition
reflection
noun
re·flec·tion
variants
also British reflexion
1
: an instance of reflecting
especially
: the return of light or sound waves from a surface
2
: the production of an image by or as if by a mirror
3
a
: the action of bending or folding back
b
: a reflected part or a fold
the mesentery is a reflection of the peritoneum
4
: something produced by reflecting
especially
: an image given back by a reflecting surface
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