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
Flags across the country will fly at half-mast on Sunday on a national day of reflection.
—
Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
In the meantime, the president of the United States, who often weighs in on news of the day, shared his reflections on Reiner's death.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Bhutan to fund its new mega-city with bitcoin Bhutan is pledging up to 10,000 bitcoin to build a new mega-city, a reflection of how much national governments have embraced the cryptocurrency.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Policymakers, who championed small government and aimed to reduce welfare spending, increasingly interpreted ailments and struggles, whether economic or physical, as failures of personal effort and responsibility rather than reflections of broader forces beyond a person’s control.
—Time, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reflection
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Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
In the meantime, the president of the United States, who often weighs in on news of the day, shared his reflections on Reiner's death.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Bhutan to fund its new mega-city with bitcoin Bhutan is pledging up to 10,000 bitcoin to build a new mega-city, a reflection of how much national governments have embraced the cryptocurrency.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Policymakers, who championed small government and aimed to reduce welfare spending, increasingly interpreted ailments and struggles, whether economic or physical, as failures of personal effort and responsibility rather than reflections of broader forces beyond a person’s control.
—Time, 19 Dec. 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 Dec. 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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