Definition of reflection noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary



    (also British English, old-fashioned reflexion) noun
    BrE BrE//rɪˈflekʃn//
    ; NAmE NAmE//rɪˈflekʃn//
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  1. 1[countable] an image in a mirror, on a shiny surface, on water, etc. He admired his reflection in the mirror.
  2. 2[uncountable] the action or process of sending back light, heat, sound, etc. from a surface
  3. 3[countable] a sign that shows the state or nature of something Your clothes are often a reflection of your personality. The increase in crime is a sad reflection on (= shows something bad about) our society today.
  4. 4[uncountable] careful thought about something, sometimes over a long period of time She decided on reflection to accept his offer after all. A week off would give him time for reflection.
  5. 5[countable, usually plural] your written or spoken thoughts about a particular subject or topic a book of her reflections on childhood
  6. 6[countable] an account or a description of something The article is an accurate reflection of events that day.
  7. Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French reflexion or late Latin reflexio(n-), from Latin reflex- ‘bent back’, from the verb reflectere.Extra examples Counselling should encourage reflection on the past. He caught sight of her reflection in the window. Her reflection in the mirror looked distorted. His low level of performance is no reflection on his general ability. I saw my reflection in the polished marble. In the reflection on the glass door he could see the class behind him. Kyle’s reflection appears in the glass. My reflection stared back at me. On further reflection, I’m not so sure it’s a good idea. She caught him admiring his reflection in the mirror. She has some interesting reflections about the spiritual state of the country. Such decisions may be made after thoughtful reflection. Such studies do not give a true reflection of population needs. Teachers should encourage reflection on the part of their students. The movie is a poor reflection of Kerouac’s work. The party needs a period of sober reflection about what went wrong. There is reflection of heat from the metal surface. They took a few minutes to offer their personal reflections. This account is only a pale reflection of the true state of affairs. This was a clear reflection of Marc’s personality. Young people’s behaviour is a direct reflection of adults’. the reflection of the mountains on the calm waters of the lake A period of calm reflection is now needed. After a moment’s reflection he started to speak. He published his reflections on war and peace last year. She concludes by providing some reflections on the gains of the previous decade. She decided, on reflection, not to take the job. We asked them to give us their reflections about the state of the industry today.Idioms
    on mature reflection/consideration
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    (formal) after thinking about something carefully and for a long time
See the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary entry: reflection