reflector

noun re·flec·tor \ ri-ˈflek-tər \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of reflector

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

See reflector defined for English-language learners

See reflector defined for kids

Examples of reflector in a Sentence

safety devices such as bicycle reflectors
Reflectors are placed along the lanes of the highway.

Recent Examples of reflector from the Web

There is an array of GPS monitors and a system of reflectors along the ridge, and lasers are flashed across the valley at the slide area every half-hour.

— kirk johnson, Anchorage Daily News, "In Washington state, a natural disaster unfolds in slow motion," 22 Jan. 2018
So has a road-warning project that includes deer-deterrent equipment such as light-flashing reflectors and sound waves designed to scare the deer off the road.

— james f. mccarty, cleveland.com, "Deer-vehicle collisions decline as hunter harvests increase," 11 Mar. 2018
The workshop will feature demonstrations on refractor, dobsonian, reflector and catadioptric telescopes.

— rebecca hazen, Houston Chronicle, "Lone Star College to host telescope workshop," 1 Feb. 2018
There are an array of GPS monitors and a system of reflectors along the ridge, and lasers are flashed across the valley at the slide area every half-hour.

— kirk johnson, New York Times, "Watching a Ridge Slide in Slow Motion, a Town Braces for Disaster," 21 Jan. 2018
That means 1,100 red reflectors per mile on 10-lane freeways.

— tony bizjak, sacbee, "Wrong-way freeway drivers will now be confronted with a ‘sea of red,’ Caltrans says," 15 Jan. 2018
Naomi Shimada posed between two construction workers who were unassumingly wearing the hottest trend of the season: highlighter orange reflector suits.

— liana satenstein, Vogue, "The Best Fashion Instagrams of the Week: Young Thug Wears Fur, Yoko Ono Tips Her Hat," 24 Feb. 2018
The team plans to expand the capabilities of the telescope, which includes an 18-acre reflector dish featured in the 1995 James Bond movie GoldenEye.

— paul brinkmann, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UCF will boost space science with deal to manage Arecibo Observatory," 22 Feb. 2018
Fishing shanties must have reflectors on each side so snowmobiles won't crash into them at dusk or during snowstorms.

— vic ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "Off-duty conservation officer and friend drown in ice-fishing accident, leaving grief and questions behind," 14 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reflector.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of reflector

1665

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

REFLECTOR Defined for English Language Learners

reflector

noun

Definition of reflector for English Language Learners

: an object that is used to reflect light

REFLECTOR Defined for Kids

reflector

noun re·flec·tor \ ri-ˈflek-tər \

Definition of reflector for Students

: a shiny surface for reflecting light or heat

Medical Dictionary

reflector

noun re·flec·tor \ ri-ˈflek-tər \

medical Definition of reflector

: one that reflects; especially : a polished surface for reflecting light or other radiation

Learn More about reflector

See words that rhyme with reflector Spanish Central: Translation of reflector Nglish: Translation of reflector for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reflector

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up reflector? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

reflector

Definition of reflector

Examples of reflector in a Sentence

Recent Examples of reflector from the Web

First Known Use of reflector

REFLECTOR Defined for English Language Learners

reflector

Definition of reflector for English Language Learners

REFLECTOR Defined for Kids

reflector

Definition of reflector for Students

Medical Dictionary

reflector

medical Definition of reflector

Learn More about reflector

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

mollycoddle

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Add Diction

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

reflector

Definition of reflector

Examples of reflector in a Sentence

Recent Examples of reflector from the Web

First Known Use of reflector

REFLECTOR Defined for English Language Learners

reflector

Definition of reflector for English Language Learners

REFLECTOR Defined for Kids

reflector

Definition of reflector for Students

Medical Dictionary

reflector

medical Definition of reflector

Learn More about reflector

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes