rearview mirror

noun

rear·​view mirror ˈrir-ˌvyü- 

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

All of it is painted with blistering lyrics focused on the beautifully chaotic nature of existence, of getting older, and of taking the occasional glance in the rearview mirror. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2024

Initial findings With a year in the rearview mirror, researchers are reviewing preliminary data throughout the state to try to answer big questions surrounding the law’s effectiveness and impact on public safety. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2024

With Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday security updates having rolled out, and Exploit Wednesday in the rearview mirror, now isn’t the time to sit back and relax. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024

But with the first (and quite possibly last) 2024 debate in America’s rearview mirror and the election on the horizon, many are left wondering and wagering about what is to come next. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rearview mirror

noun

rear·​view mirror ˌri(ə)r-ˌvyü- 

: a mirror (as in a car) that gives a view to the rear