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

The mission also carries instruments from Egypt, Switzerland, Bahrain and Italy; the latter country’s instrument is a small laser retroreflector on the lander that can be used to precisely measure distances from orbiters to the lunar surface. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026

An Italian laser retroreflector array on the lander is provided by the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati. — Leonard David, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Synchronous flying The retroreflectors on LARES-2 are designed to reflect a beam of light exactly in the direction this beam came from. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Since 1969, scientists have been aiming laser beams at these retroreflectors to precisely measure the distance from Earth to the Moon. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for retroreflector

• photodetector
• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector
• deflector
• detector
• director
• dissector
• effector
• ejector