reflection

noun

re·flec·tion | \ ri-ˈflek-shən

Definition of reflection

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

3a : 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

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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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

This is not meant to cast any disparaging reflections on nursing homes. — Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, "Sunday Bulletin Board: How many summers do you have with your children? Is it ever enough?," 15 Sep. 2019 Jerzy Kosinski’s novel about an unnamed boy wandering around Eastern Europe at the close of World War II is stunningly adapted for the screen in Czech director Vaclav Marhoul’s grim and violent reflection on the cruelty of human nature. — Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, "Hollywood Reporter Critics' 20 Favorite Films From the Fall Festivals," 15 Sep. 2019 There are no videos or photos to corroborate her claims, and the text messages cited in the lawsuit, while disturbing and not a good reflection on Brown, have not been authenticated publicly. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, "Opinion: Antonio Brown's featured role in debut reveals Patriots' shamelessness," 15 Sep. 2019 His remarks were widely seen as a reflection on how his new government would approach the West bank too. — Dalia Hatuqa / Ramallah, Time, "'Less Space to Breathe.' How Palestinians Are Responding to Netanyahu’s West Bank Annexation Plans," 13 Sep. 2019 So, too, is James Watson as a friend of Vic’s whose periodic reflections on life and love frame the movie, providing gorgeous moments of stillness and respite amid the tumult. — Justin Chang, chicagotribune.com, "‘Give Me Liberty’ review: A medical transport van welcomes all," 12 Sep. 2019 Adding to the formal élan of this great photograph, the reflections on the upper windows provide a framed series of abstract beauty. — New York Times, "Robert Frank Revealed the Truth of Postwar America," 11 Sep. 2019 But Du Bois’s reflection on their country also puzzled black Germans attending the ceremony. — Washington Post, "The Germany of 1892 was liberating for W.E.B. Du Bois. Many minorities don’t feel that today.," 9 Sep. 2019 Power couple Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird get a joint profile, with details and reflections on their routines, life together in Seattle, activism for female athletes and equal pay, and being recognized in public a lot more now. — Fortune, "4 Business Leaders on Addressing the Climate Crisis: The Broadsheet," 6 Sep. 2019

These 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.