# introspection

/ˌɪntɹəˈspɛkʃən/ (US) · /ˌɪntɹəspˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/introspection
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. self-examination

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the process of thinking deeply about your own thoughts, feelings, and reasons for behaving in a certain way.

For teachers: the act of self-examination or the inspection of one's own thoughts and feelings. Uncountable in its general sense, though specific instances may be countable.

- After the argument, he spent the evening in quiet introspection, wondering why he had become so angry.
- The novel is less about external action and more about the protagonist's internal journey of painful introspection and self-discovery.

Usage: Often follows verbs like 'engage in' or 'be capable of'.

### 2. computing

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the ability of a computer program to examine its own structure or properties while it is running.

For teachers: the ability of a program to examine the type or properties of an object at runtime. Often used as a clipping of 'type introspection'.

- The developer used introspection to check which methods were available in the new library.
- Object introspection allows the system to determine an object's class and available attributes dynamically during execution.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of high-level programming languages like Python or Java.

## Examples

- He spent the evening in deep introspection.
- The therapist encouraged the patient to engage in daily introspection to identify the root of his anxiety.
- While some view introspection as a necessary tool for personal growth, others argue that it can lead to rumination and a distorted perception of reality.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.