retrospection
Americannoun
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the action, process, or faculty of looking back on things past.
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a survey of past events or experiences.
noun
Etymology
Origin of retrospection
First recorded in 1625–35; retrospect + -ion
Explanation
The process of thinking about past events can be called retrospection. It will take some retrospection to remember your favorite moments from the last year or two. You might be familiar with the word introspection, which is all about the act of thinking about yourself — the things you do, the way you are, and the things you think about. Retrospection is similar — both words are rooted in the Latin specere, "to look at." Instead of intro-, "within," retrospection uses retro-, "behind," or "in past times," so your retrospection at your high school graduation might have you thinking back on your years of school.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
June 30 marked the completion of Justice Alito’s 20th full term, an anniversary that has occasioned a fair amount of retrospection.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
"I don't know what that says, but I do think it is time for some introspection and retrospection about why this has occurred."
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2025
Naturally, such a skid prompts retrospection and underscores the importance of these next few weeks.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 21, 2022
Nancy Rhine, a gerontologist and marriage and family therapist in Mill Valley, Calif., has helped about 40 older adults prepare for and process late-life rituals involving hours of retrospection and introspection, art and music.
From New York Times ● Aug. 1, 2022
But there would be little time for retrospection over the next few weeks, for the briefing schedule for the three delegates was punishing.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
