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.
The worst of the tariff news appears to be in the rearview mirror, and calls for a global recession have receded. Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 The fact that the defense’s tactics appear to have been by and large successful is just the latest indication that America is prepared to put the lessons of Me Too in the rearview mirror. Aja Romano, Vox, 2 July 2025 With Casa Amor in the rearview mirror, this is the time when emotions are running highest, so don’t expect the producers to let up on the gas pedal now. Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 June 2025 However, the Canucks seem to want to give Pettersson — another lefty, by the way — another chance to right the ship next season with Adam Foote now running the bench and the Miller debacle fully in the rearview mirror. Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 20 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Rearview mirror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rearview%20mirror. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on rearview mirror

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