A rearview mirror is the small mirror inside a car that lets the driver see what's behind them without turning around. It hangs from the top center of the windshield and reflects the view through the back window, showing following cars, cyclists, or anything else approaching from behind.

A rearview mirror helps drivers stay aware of their surroundings in every direction. Before changing lanes or backing up, a careful driver checks the rearview mirror along with the side mirrors. Some rearview mirrors now include small screens that display video from backup cameras, giving an even clearer picture of what's behind the vehicle.

People also use rearview figuratively when talking about looking backward at the past. A person might say they prefer looking forward to new adventures rather than spending time in the rearview, dwelling on old mistakes or missed opportunities. In this sense, rearview represents hindsight or reflection on things that have already happened.