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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here's the Allworth Advice: The days of earning five percent or more on your cash are in the rearview mirror for now. Amy Wagner and Steve Hruby, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024 The presidential election, for one, is just barely in the rearview mirror. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024 The big picture: With the contentious battle with nearby residents in the rearview mirror, Northwestern looks to have the venue ready in time for the 2026 season. Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024 His financial problems are finally in the rearview mirror. Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near rearview mirror

Cite this Entry

“Rearview mirror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rearview%20mirror. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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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