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re·flec·tion | \ ri-ˈflek-shən 
\
\Definition of reflection
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
9a : 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
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Other Words from reflection
reflectional \ ri-ˈflek-shnəl , -shə-nᵊl \ adjective
, -shə-nᵊl \ adjective
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 Through a metamorphosis of inward self reflection and a malleability to forgive, 3 years did not stretch to forever.
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Lisa Respers France, CNN, "Tallulah Willis didn't speak to mom Demi Moore for three years," 12 May 2020 Through a metamorphosis of inward self reflection and a malleability to forgive, 3 years did not stretch to forever.
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Ashley Boucher, PEOPLE.com, "Demi Moore's Daughter Tallulah Willis Says Mother's Day Used to Make Her Feel Like 'Absolute Dust'," 11 May 2020 But with the appropriate perspective, those reflections can provide opportunities for growth.
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Lily Jackson | Ljackson@al.com, al, "How are extroverts finding purpose without people?," 8 May 2020 The results are surprisingly accurate, whether the reflections come from a bowl, a cylinder or a crinkly bag of potato chips.
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Sophie Bushwick, Scientific American, "A Shiny Snack Bag’s Reflections Can Reconstruct the Room around It," 4 May 2020 For the glass, shade the lower part to indicate reflections to give the sketch some depth.
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Connor Hoffman, Car and Driver, "Learn How to Draw a 911 From Porsche's Head of Design," 30 Apr. 2020 The lighting and reflection effects on display here are impressive stuff, somewhere between 2D titans like Rayman Legends and Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
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Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Streets of Rage 4 review: This beat-’em-up revival beats them all," 29 Apr. 2020 The holy month, which began on April 24, is a time for prayer and reflection for the vast majority of Muslims.
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Joseph Hincks, Time, "With the World Busy Fighting COVID-19, Could ISIS Mount a Resurgence?," 29 Apr. 2020 Where that reflection collides with the horizon, the sky breaks away from the sea.
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Stephen O’connor, Harper's Magazine, "The Interpretation of Dreams," 27 Apr. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reflection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for reflection
reflection
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of reflection
: an image that is seen in a mirror or on a shiny surface
: something that shows the effect, existence, or character of something else
: something that causes people to disapprove of a person or thing
See the full definition for reflection in the English Language Learners Dictionary
reflection
nounre·flec·tion | \ ri-ˈflek-shən \
\Kids Definition of reflection
1 : the return of light or sound waves from a surface
2 : an image produced by or as if by a mirror
3 : something that brings blame or disgrace
It's a reflection on my honesty.
4 : careful thought
After much reflection, I agreed.
5 : an opinion formed or a remark made after careful thought
reflection
nounre·flec·tion
variants:
also British reflexion \ ri-ˈflek-shən \
\Medical Definition of reflection
2 : the production of an image by or as if by a mirror
3a : 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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Comments on reflection
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Time Traveler for reflection
The first known use of reflection was in the 14th century
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