reflector

American  

[ri-flek-ter] / rɪˈflɛk tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that reflects.

2. a body, surface, or device that reflects light, heat, sound, or the like.

3. telescope1

4. a substance, as graphite or heavy water, used to prevent the escape of neutrons from the core of a nuclear reactor.

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reflector British  

/ rɪˈflɛktə /

noun

1. a person or thing that reflects

2. a surface or object that reflects light, sound, heat, etc

3. a small translucent red disc, strip, etc, with a reflecting backing on the rear of a road vehicle, which reflects the light of the headlights of a following vehicle

4. another name for reflecting telescope

5. part of an aerial placed so as to increase the forward radiation of the radiator and decrease the backward radiation

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Other Word Forms

• nonreflector noun

Etymology

Origin of reflector

First recorded in 1655–65; reflect + -or ²

Example Sentences

As night fell on Tucson, a man in a reflector jacket parked his truck on the same hill where Williams held court, and deployed a tripod.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

These waves travel forward, strike a reflector, and then move backward, much like light reflecting between mirrors in a laser.

From Science Daily • Jan. 17, 2026

Consider fitting radiator reflector panels, although that may be a longer-term job.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025

Using a reflector and colored gels, I captured Storm in front of the textured paper, creating this image.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2023

At a wonderful store in Stonington, half hardware store and half ship’s chandler, I bought a kerosene lamp with a tin reflector for Rocinante.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• mirror