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

Israel wears Wavey zig-zag top, bejeweled beanie, acid cargo pants, chrome fanny pack, Planeta neon mesh shorts, Tuzza custom reflector earring.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2024

There’s a reflector at the far end, which is another stone slab propped to throw heat on the grill.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Related Words

• mirror