Reflector: meaning, definitions and examples

Generally used to describe any device or surface that reflects light, sound, or other forms of energy. Often used in technical, scientific, or everyday settings.

• The reflector on my bike helps cars see me at night.
• Astronomers use large reflectors in their telescopes to observe distant stars.

Typically used to describe a strip of material with reflective properties, often for safety purposes. Commonly found on clothing, vehicles, or road signs.

• The construction worker's vest has a bright orange color and several reflector strips for visibility.
• Reflector strips on the running shoes help runners be seen in low-light conditions.

Used more specifically to refer to a device designed to reflect light or other forms of energy for various applications. Often used in technical or safety contexts.

• The reflective device on the side of the road improves visibility during foggy conditions.
• Engineers installed reflective devices on the building to manage sunlight and reduce heat.

Often used in situations involving safety, visibility, and light redirection, such as on bicycles, vehicles, and street signs to reflect light back to its source.

• Bicycles should have reflectors to increase visibility at night
• The road signs were equipped with reflectors for better nighttime visibility

Used for an object typically made of glass with a reflective coating, generally found in homes, bathrooms, and personal care settings to see one's own image.

• She checked her appearance in the bathroom mirror
• The car had a rearview mirror

Used in more technical or scientific contexts, describing surfaces that reflect light in a single direction, often used in physics, optics, or material science to describe ideal reflective properties.

• The laboratory used a specular surface to measure the intensity of reflected light
• Mirrors are an example of an almost perfect specular surface

Can also refer to scientific and technical contexts, such as telescopes and lasers, where precision in reflecting light is necessary.

• The telescope uses a large reflector to capture distant light
• Engineers tested a new type of reflector for the laser system

Often used in photography and cinematography to describe the action or technique of bouncing light using a reflective surface to achieve a desired lighting effect.

• The photographer used a white wall for light bounce to soften the shadows
• We need a large board for a better light bounce in this shot

Primarily used in professional settings such as photography, filmmaking, or stage design to specify equipment used to reflect light onto a subject.

• We set up a light reflector to brighten up the actor's face
• She adjusted the light reflector to eliminate the shadows