ENGLISH
REFERENCE

reflection

n.
US //ɹɪˈfɫɛkʃən// UK //ɹɪflˈɛkʃən// re·flec·tion
  1. 1 image in a mirror (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the image you see when you look in a mirror or at a shiny surface like water.

    an image produced by a mirror or other reflective surface.

    Example

    He stopped to look at his reflection in the shop window.

    Example

    The mountain's snowy peak was perfectly captured in the still reflection of the lake below.
  2. 2 bouncing of light or sound (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    the way that light, heat, or sound hits a surface and bounces back.

    the return of light, heat, or sound waves from a surface.

    Example

    The white walls help with the reflection of light in the dark room.

    Example

    The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence, a fundamental principle in the study of optics.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 serious thought (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    careful and deep thought about something that happened in the past.

    serious thought or consideration; the cognitive process of reviewing past experiences or ideas.

    Example

    After some reflection, she decided to apologize for her mistake.

    Example

    On closer reflection, the manager realized that the initial failure was actually due to a lack of clear communication within the team.
  2. 4 a sign or result (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    something that shows the true nature or condition of a person or situation.

    a manifestation or outcome that serves as a representative indicator of a specific condition or trait.

    Example

    The high grades are a reflection of how hard the students worked.

    Example

    The decline in local crime rates is a direct reflection of the new community outreach programmes implemented last year.
  3. 5 computing (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

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

    the process by which a computer program can observe and modify its own structure and behavior at runtime.

    Example

    The developer used reflection to inspect the properties of the object.

    Example

    Using reflection allows the framework to instantiate classes dynamically without knowing their names at compile time.
  4. 6 anatomy (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

    a part of a body structure that is folded back on itself.

    the folding back of a part or a membrane upon itself.

    Example

    The doctor pointed to the reflection of the membrane in the diagram.

    Example

    The surgical procedure required careful dissection near the peritoneal reflection to avoid damaging the underlying organs.
Origin

From Middle French reflexion, reflection, and its source Late Latin reflexio, from the participle stem of reflectō. The current spelling is influenced by reflect. Equivalent to reflect + -ion.

© 2026 English Reference