Definition of reflect
transitive verb
1 archaic : to turn into or away from a course : deflect
2 : to prevent passage of and cause to change direction a mirror reflects light
3 : to bend or fold back
4 : to give back or exhibit as an image, likeness, or outline : mirror the clouds were reflected in the water
5 : to bring or cast as a result his attitude reflects little credit on his judgment
6 : to make manifest or apparent : show the painting reflects his artistic vision the pulse reflects the condition of the heart
intransitive verb
1 : to throw back light or sound
From the M-W Editors
Examples of reflect in a Sentence
The old church is reflected in the glass exterior of the skyscraper.
Her book clearly reflects her beliefs.
Where you learned a language is reflected in your accent.
Recent Examples of reflect from the Web
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Officials told the newspaper that ending the operation reflects Trump's interest in finding ways to work with Russia.
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The studio's two side walls are covered in iridescent tiles and reflect light streaming in from its large, horizontal window and cupola in the vaulted, pecky cypress ceiling.
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Reflecting the president’s obsession with the United States’ trade deficit, the document’s first objective is to reduce deficits with other NAFTA countries.
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One filing reflects continued federal funding of those subsidies, and a separate one assumes they are eliminated and their cost is included in health plan premiums.
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Details reflect the chef, extending to the cypress bar’s brass joinery, glasses with thread-thin stems, and the occasional dish served in a Meiji-era bowl.
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Martin once defended the prevalent use of rape in his text to Entertainment Weekly by leaning into the quasi-historical context of his novels: The books reflect a patriarchal society based on the Middle Ages.
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Specially designed to reflect heat directionally, the ESA says, the radiator will handle all energy coming from the sun as well as internally generated heat created by Bepi's moving parts.
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The space authority act passed by Alabama lawmakers this year reflects the evolving view.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reflect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of reflect
Middle English, from Latin reflectere to bend back, from re- + flectere to bend
Synonym Discussion of reflect
REFLECT Defined for English Language Learners
reflect
playDefinition of reflect for English Language Learners
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of light, sound, etc. : to move in one direction, hit a surface, and then quickly move in a different and usually opposite direction
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: to show the image of (something) on a surface
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: to show (something) : to make (something) known
REFLECT Defined for Kids
reflect
playDefinition of reflect for Students
reflected
;reflecting
1 : to bend or throw back (waves of light, sound, or heat) A polished surface reflects light.
2 : to give back an image or likeness of in the manner of a mirror The clouds were reflected in the water.
3 : to make known The book reflects her beliefs.
4 : to cause to be thought of in a specified way or in a bad way Your poor behavior reflects on the whole class.
5 : to think seriously and carefully about I reflected on the problem.
Word Root of reflect
The Latin word flectere, meaning “to bend” or “to curve,” and its form flexus give us the roots flect and flex. Words from the Latin flectere have something to do with bending or curving. To flex is to cause something, such as a muscle, to curve or bend. Something flexible can be bent without breaking. To deflect, or turn aside, is to bend the direction of something. To reflect is to bend an image back to the person looking at a mirror or other shiny surface.
Medical Dictionary
reflect
playMedical Definition of reflect
1: to bend or fold back : impart a backward curve, bend, or fold to
2: to push or lay aside (as tissue or an organ) during surgery in order to gain access to the part to be operated on the pleura were reflected and later closed over the stump
intransitive verb
: to throw back light or sound : return rays, beams, or waves
Learn More about reflect
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See words that rhyme with reflect Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reflect Spanish Central: Translation of reflect Nglish: Translation of reflect for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reflect for Arabic speakers
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