reflex
noun
re·flex
| \ ˈrē-ˌfleks
\
\
Definition of reflex
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
archaic
: reflected heat, light, or color
b
: a mirrored image
c
: a copy exact in essential or peculiar features
2a
: an automatic and often inborn response to a stimulus that typically involves a nerve impulse passing inward from a receptor to the spinal cord and then passing outward from the spinal cord to an effector (such as a muscle or gland) without reaching the level of consciousness and often without passing to the brain
the knee-jerk reflex
b
: the process that culminates in a reflex and comprises reception, transmission, and reaction
— called also reflex action
c
reflexes plural
: the power of acting or responding with adequate speed
d
: a way of thinking or behaving
3
: a linguistic element (such as a word or sound) or system (such as writing) that is derived from a prior and especially an older element or system
boat is the reflex of Old English bāt
reflex
adjectiveDefinition of reflex (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: directed back on the mind or its operations : introspective
2
: reflexed
3
: produced or carried out in reaction, resistance, or return
4
of an angle
: being between 180° and 360°
5
: of, relating to, or produced by a reflex without intervention of consciousness
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Examples of reflex in a Sentence
Noun
reflexes such as swallowing and blinking Disagreeing with my suggestions has become almost a reflex for him. an athlete with great reflexes My reflexes are slower now that I'm older.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Amid the stethoscoping and reflex-hammering of a routine checkup, the two men got to talking about polio, which was still a threat to the nation’s youth, in spite of the discovery, the previous decade, of a vaccine. — Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, "The Message of Measles," 26 Aug. 2019 Isn’t the more revealing point that, by the seventies, anti-establishment sentiment had become such a general reflex that everybody, from all parts of the ideological spectrum, was on the march? — Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, "Was the Automotive Era a Terrible Mistake?," 22 July 2019 All our ancestors had reflexes and intuitions that were adequate for Earth’s environment. — Anders Sandberg, Quartz, "We should stop sending humans into space to do a robot’s job," 19 July 2019 The group will play ancient superheroes with Jolie as Thena, a superhuman with super strength, speed, agility and reflexes. — Georgia Slater, USA TODAY, "'They want to see me strong': Angelina Jolie says kids are 'happy' about new Marvel film," 29 Mar. 2019 But this means that in space our reflexes and intuitions are likely to be wrong without extensive retraining, and likely in deadly ways. — Anders Sandberg, Quartz, "We should stop sending humans into space to do a robot’s job," 19 July 2019 These proactive measures are intended to help reduce the reflex time required to get resources on location to grass fires during the holiday. — Robert Wilonsky, Dallas News, "A new book takes a loving look at long-ago Dallas," 3 July 2019 The 29-year-old made 80 appearances for Valencia during his two years with the club, impressing with his agility and quick reflexes. — SI.com, "Neto Completes €35m Barcelona Transfer Following Jasper Cillessen's Move to Valencia," 27 June 2019 But the siren song of an oversize single lens reflex (SLR) camera proved difficult to resist. — Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, "What is the best camera for a family vacation? The one you have with you in the moment," 15 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
One reason the finger must stay off the trigger is that the reflex action of the finger to surprise could cause a loaded gun to fire. — Christine Cunningham, Alaska Dispatch News, "Gun-safety rules apply in the photo studio too," 18 July 2017 Sauvignon blancs and grüner veltliners are reflex choices and would be fine. — David Tanis, New York Times, "My New Favorite Beans," 17 Mar. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reflex.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for reflex
reflex
noun
English Language Learners Definition of reflex
: an action or movement of the body that happens automatically as a reaction to something
: something that you do without thinking as a reaction to something
: the natural ability to react quickly
See the full definition for reflex in the English Language Learners Dictionary
reflex
noun
re·flex
| \ ˈrē-ˌfleks
\
\
Kids Definition of reflex
1
: an action or movement that is made automatically without thinking as a reaction to a stimulus
2
reflexes plural
: the natural ability to react quickly
A driver needs good reflexes.
reflex
noun
re·flex
| \ ˈrē-ˌfleks
\
\
Medical Definition of reflex
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: reflected heat, light, or color
b
: a mirrored image
2a
: an automatic and often inborn response to a stimulus that involves a nerve impulse passing inward from a receptor to the spinal cord and thence outward to an effector (as a muscle or gland) without reaching the level of consciousness and often without passing to the brain
the knee-jerk reflex
b
: the process that culminates in a reflex and comprises reception, transmission, and reaction
c
reflexes plural
: the power of acting or responding