reflector

noun

re·​flec·​tor ri-ˈflek-tər 

1

: one that reflects

especially : a polished surface for reflecting light or other radiation

2

: a telescope in which the principal focusing element is a mirror

Examples of reflector in a Sentence

safety devices such as bicycle reflectors

Reflectors are placed along the lanes of the highway.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another tagging an tracking technology, developed by DARPA involved dynamic optical tags, which are small silicon reflectors which return a signal in response to a laser pulse. —David Hambling, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

This allowed several cables to pull out of the sockets, ultimately causing the platform to plummet into the reflector more than 400 feet below, according to the report. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024

There were no lights on the bicycle, but officers noted a rear red reflector on the seat post. Video footage from a nearby neighbor captured the car traveling east on 10th Street from Cumberland Road around the time of the crash. —Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Oct. 2024

What’s interesting about the discussions isn’t so much the reflectors’ input, which mostly mirrors what the speakers say. —Elizabeth Svoboda, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

reflector

noun

re·​flec·​tor ri-ˈflek-tər 

1

: one that reflects

especially : a polished surface for reflecting light or heat

2

: a telescope in which the principal light-gathering element is a mirror

Medical Definition

reflector

noun

re·​flec·​tor ri-ˈflek-tər 

: one that reflects

especially : a polished surface for reflecting light or other radiation