rearview mirror

noun

rear·​view mirror ˈrir-ˌvyü- 

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

Listen to this article With the regular season in the rearview mirror, the Chicago Bears have turned their focus toward a coaching search that will be one of the most significant processes in team history. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025

Some fans may stick with him, while others might lose some of their gusto as the election cycle fades in the rearview mirror. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025

Now that winter break is in the rearview mirror and the season is in full swing, meaningful league matchups are by the handful. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2025

The face that looked back at her in the rearview mirror was gaunt, her skin pale around glassy hazel eyes. —Glenn E. Rice, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rearview mirror

noun

rear·​view mirror ˌri(ə)r-ˌvyü- 

: a mirror (as in a car) that gives a view to the rear