retroreflector
noun
ret·ro·re·flec·tor
ˌre-trō-ri-ˈflek-tər 
: a device that reflects radiation (such as light) so that the paths of the reflected rays are parallel to those of the incident rays
Examples of retroreflector in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Additionally, an instrument known as a laser retroreflector array (LRA) on the top deck of the lander will be able to bounce laser light back at any incoming spacecraft – a vital capability to determine the locations of lunar landers more accurately.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
But there might be a simple, potentially inexpensive way to put a chill on urban heat: retroreflectors.
—Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
Astrobotic sold capacity on its lander to several customers, mainly NASA, which is sending a radiation sensor, spectrometers, and a laser retroreflector array to the Moon aboard the Peregrine lander.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2024
But now researchers from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, in Western Australia, have developed a coherent FSO link operating at 1,550 nanometers across a turbulent atmosphere between an optical ground terminal and a retroreflector mounted on an airborne drone.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 Dec. 2022
Instead, a retroreflector directs the light back towards the source.
—Rhett Allain, Wired, 12 Sep. 2021
Its glittering ‘eyes’ were the glass retroreflector beads destined to snoop on unsuspecting targets.
—David Hambling, Popular Mechanics, 18 Feb. 2020
In practice, these retroreflectors acted as a remote microphone to eavesdrop on any conversation.
—David Hambling, Popular Mechanics, 18 Feb. 2020
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.
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
But there might be a simple, potentially inexpensive way to put a chill on urban heat: retroreflectors.
—Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
Astrobotic sold capacity on its lander to several customers, mainly NASA, which is sending a radiation sensor, spectrometers, and a laser retroreflector array to the Moon aboard the Peregrine lander.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2024
But now researchers from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, in Western Australia, have developed a coherent FSO link operating at 1,550 nanometers across a turbulent atmosphere between an optical ground terminal and a retroreflector mounted on an airborne drone.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 Dec. 2022
Instead, a retroreflector directs the light back towards the source.
—Rhett Allain, Wired, 12 Sep. 2021
Its glittering ‘eyes’ were the glass retroreflector beads destined to snoop on unsuspecting targets.
—David Hambling, Popular Mechanics, 18 Feb. 2020
In practice, these retroreflectors acted as a remote microphone to eavesdrop on any conversation.
—David Hambling, Popular Mechanics, 18 Feb. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Retroreflector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retroreflector. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share