Definitions for reflection
rɪˈflɛk ʃənre·flec·tion

Princeton's WordNet(3.40 / 5 votes)Rate this definition:

1. contemplation, reflection, reflexion, rumination, musing, thoughtfulnessnoun

   a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

2. reflection, reflexionnoun

   the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface

3. expression, manifestation, reflection, reflexionnoun

   expression without words

   "tears are an expression of grief"; "the pulse is a reflection of the heart's condition"

4. mirror image, reflection, reflexionnoun

   a likeness in which left and right are reversed

5. reflection, reflexionnoun

   the image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material)

   "he studied his reflection in the mirror"

6. reflectionnoun

   (mathematics) a transformation in which the direction of one axis is reversed

7. observation, reflection, reflexionnoun

   a remark expressing careful consideration

8. reflection, reflexion, reflectivitynoun

   the ability to reflect beams or rays

Wiktionary(4.00 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. reflectionnoun

   The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.

   Etymology: From reflexion, reflection, and its source reflexio, from the participle stem of reflectere. The current spelling is influenced by reflect.

2. reflectionnoun

   The property of a propagated wave being thrown back from a surface (such as a mirror).

   Etymology: From reflexion, reflection, and its source reflexio, from the participle stem of reflectere. The current spelling is influenced by reflect.

3. reflectionnoun

   Something, such as an image, that is reflected.

   The dog barked at his own reflection in the mirror.

   Etymology: From reflexion, reflection, and its source reflexio, from the participle stem of reflectere. The current spelling is influenced by reflect.

4. reflectionnoun

   Careful thought or consideration.

   After careful reflection, I have decided not to vote for that proposition.

   Etymology: From reflexion, reflection, and its source reflexio, from the participle stem of reflectere. The current spelling is influenced by reflect.

5. reflectionnoun

   An implied criticism.

   It is a reflection on his character that he never wavered in his resolve.

   Etymology: From reflexion, reflection, and its source reflexio, from the participle stem of reflectere. The current spelling is influenced by reflect.

6. reflectionnoun

   The process or mechanism of determining the capabilities of an object at run-time.

   Etymology: From reflexion, reflection, and its source reflexio, from the participle stem of reflectere. The current spelling is influenced by reflect.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Reflectionnoun

   the act of reflecting, or turning or sending back, or the state of being reflected

2. Reflectionnoun

   the return of rays, beams, sound, or the like, from a surface. See Angle of reflection, below

3. Reflectionnoun

   the reverting of the mind to that which has already occupied it; continued consideration; meditation; contemplation; hence, also, that operation or power of the mind by which it is conscious of its own acts or states; the capacity for judging rationally, especially in view of a moral rule or standard

4. Reflectionnoun

   shining; brightness, as of the sun

5. Reflectionnoun

   that which is produced by reflection

6. Reflectionnoun

   an image given back from a reflecting surface; a reflected counterpart

7. Reflectionnoun

   a part reflected, or turned back, at an angle; as, the reflection of a membrane

8. Reflectionnoun

   result of meditation; thought or opinion after attentive consideration or contemplation; especially, thoughts suggested by truth

9. Reflectionnoun

   censure; reproach cast

10. Reflectionnoun

    the transference of an excitement from one nerve fiber to another by means of the nerve cells, as in reflex action. See Reflex action, under Reflex

Freebase(4.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Reflection

   In computer science, reflection is the ability of a computer program to examine and modify the structure and behavior of an object at runtime. Reflection is most commonly used in high-level virtual machine programming languages like Smalltalk and scripting languages and also in manifestly typed or statically typed programming languages such as Java, ML, Haskell, C# and Scala.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(5.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Reflection

   Reflexion, rē-flek′shun, n. the act of reflecting: the change of direction when a ray of light, &c., strikes upon a surface and is thrown back: the state of being reflected: that which is reflected: the action of the mind by which it is conscious of its own operations: attentive consideration: contemplation: censure or reproach: (anat.) the folding of a part, a fold.—adj. Reflect′ive, reflecting: considering the operations of the mind: exercising thought or reflection: (gram.) reciprocal.—adv. Reflect′ively.—ns. Reflect′iveness; Reflect′or, one who, or that which, reflects: a mirror or polished reflecting surface: a censurer.—adj. Reflect′ory.

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. reflection

   The act and process of to reflect.

   The reflection of the light through the window is so beautiful on the crystals it beams light.

   Submitted by MaryC on April 15, 2020  

2. reflection

   1 ) the return of light or sound waves from a surface. 2) an image you see when looking into a mirror. 3) a behaviour or act the reveals someone's true nature is said to be a reflection of who they are. 4) careful thought and consideration, to think or ponder in a meaningful way, meditation. 5) an opinion formed or a remark made after careful consideration.

   Submitted by Soulwriter on June 2, 2021  

Matched Categories

1. • Consideration
   • Demonstration
   • Likeness
   • Math
   • Physical Phenomenon
   • Physical Property
   • Picture
   • Remark
   • Transformation

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'reflection' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4464

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'reflection' in Nouns Frequency: #1563

How to pronounce reflection?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say reflection in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of reflection in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of reflection in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of reflection in a Sentence

1. Shah Asad Rizvi:

   Movements of the body are a reflection of the soul

2. Barack Obama:

   Hitler, Mussolini, we all know the result, it was only a call for reflection and for recognition, so that we bear in mind what we have achieved and the great deal still to achieve.

3. Nelson Atehortua:

   Miscommunication has been constant since the pandemic started, and that has created distrust in the population, so unfortunately -- and this is a reflection that I have made with some colleagues in public health -- Read MorePublic health officials are losing the battle of communication.

4. Samuel Johnson:

   It is a most mortifying reflection for a man to consider what he has done, compared to what he might have done.

5. Fernando Pacheco:

   Fear is the reflection of ignorance

Images & Illustrations of reflection

Popularity rank by frequency of use