rearview mirror

noun

rear·​view mirror ˈrir-ˌvyü- How to pronounce rearview mirror (audio)
variants or rearview
plural rearview mirrors or rearviews
1
: a mirror (as in an automobile) that gives the driver a view of the area behind a vehicle
The air fresheners that dangle from rearview mirrors have been a ubiquitous accessory in cars for decades.Mike Baker and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs
Another car's headlights appeared in her rearview—the first she'd seen since … turning onto Route 60.Erin Brockovich and C. J. Lyons
2
: past entry 3
used in phrases like in the rearview mirror and in one's rearview mirror
With the midterm elections barely in the rearview mirror, the competition is heating up among states trying to move up in the presidential primary lineup.Alex Seitz-Wald and Natasha Korecki
Siakam was coming off shoulder surgery as well. … But Siakam put all that in his rearview mirror and never looked back, finishing with career highs in rebounds and assists …Mike Ganter
After Zayn Malik abruptly departed from One Direction in 2015, he largely left the band in his rearview.Larisha Paul
… [rappers] Killer Mike and El-P, both of whom had left rap's zeitgeist in their rearviews long ago …Tom Breihan

Examples of rearview mirror in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Elon Musk is putting his stint in Washington in the rearview mirror. Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 29 May 2025 Now that Memorial Day is in the rearview mirror, the official start of summer is right around the corner. Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2025 With earnings season mostly in the rearview mirror, certain names stand out as winners moving forward, according to Jefferies. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 28 May 2025 Those days appear to be in the rearview mirror, as the Jets have invested heavily in the offensive line over the last two offseasons. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for rearview mirror

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rearview mirror was in 1911

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Cite this Entry

“Rearview mirror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rearview%20mirror. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

rearview mirror

noun
rear·​view mirror ˌri(ə)r-ˌvyü- How to pronounce rearview mirror (audio)
: a mirror (as in a car) that gives a view to the rear

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