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

a

: the action of bending or folding back

b

: a reflected part : fold

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

reflectional

ri-ˈflek-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of reflection

• remark
• comment
• note

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

And a reflection of his growing popularity, as Celebrini’s record-setting performance at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics – capped by a gold medal game watched by tens of millions of fans — raised his profile here at home and across the NHL. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026

Both companies have acknowledged the billing problem originated on their end and isn’t a reflection of anything customers did wrong, although some customers ignored or missed requests to update their payment information. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026

There is a place, perhaps, for reflections at the tail end of a long and accomplished career. —Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026

Studies indicate that the nation’s CEOs are now getting the ax with surprising frequency – one reflection of Trump-era disruptions. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, alteration of reflexion, from Late Latin reflexion-, reflexio act of bending back, from Latin reflectere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reflection

• angle of reflection
• no reflection on
• on/upon reflection
• self-reflection

Rhymes for reflection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids 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

reflectional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

reflection

noun

re·​flec·​tion

variants also British reflexion

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

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