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

The cabin is similar to that of the latest 911 Turbo S, save for the new steering wheel (taken from the GT3 RS), a digital rearview mirror, and a roll cage. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025

With summer firmly in the rearview mirror, the film industry is bringing out its biggest guns, and 2025 is set to go out with a bang. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025

Roman Reigns attempted to put his rivalry with The Vision in the rearview mirror in a match against Bronson Reed, but his relationship with Jey and Jimmy Uso appeared to have more cracks than first thought. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025

For beachcombers, there are dozens of ocean and bay beaches that don’t require a parking permit once summer is in the rearview mirror. —Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rearview mirror

• clearer
• dearer
• hearer
• nearer
• shearer

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