parabolic mirror

American  

[par-uh-bahl-ik mir-er] / ˌpær əˈbɑl ɪk ˈmɪr ər /

noun

plural

parabolic mirrors

1. a dish-shaped mirror whose reflecting surface forms a partial paraboloid rather than a partial sphere, with the effect that rays reflected from the focus advance parallel to the principal axis instead of spreading out at a wide angle, and incoming parallel rays are reflected into the focus. Parabolic mirrors are used in searchlights, vehicle headlights, telescopes, and radio antennas, among other things.

---

parabolic mirror Scientific  

1. A concave mirror whose cross-section is shaped like the tip of a parabola. Most of the light, radio waves, sound, and other radiation that enter the mirror straight on is reflected by the surface and converges on the focus of the parabola, where being concentrated, it can be easily detected. Conversely, radiation emanating from the focal point reflects from the inner surface of the mirror into a fairly direct beam of nearly parallel radiation that can be aimed at a target. Parabolic mirrors are the basis of parabolic antennae and automobile headlights, as well as some megaphones and telescopic mirrors.

---

Example Sentences

But a rainy weather forecast means the sun's rays will not be able to light the parabolic mirror used by actresses in the garb of ancient priestesses.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

Flames and sandals make for an impressive spectacle, and while the priestess’ largely tongue-in-cheek prayer to Apollo might not be answered, the parabolic mirror works well.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 15, 2024

At the heart of the production process is a solar reactor that is exposed to concentrated sunlight delivered by a parabolic mirror and reaches temperatures of up to 1500 degrees Celsius.

From Science Daily • Oct. 27, 2023

Sunday's dress rehearsal at the ancient stadium of Olympia was hampered by brief spells of rain and heavy clouds, with the torch not being lit by the sun's rays through a parabolic mirror.

From Reuters • Oct. 17, 2021

You could not make out what it was, but I saw enough to convince me that it was a gigantic parabolic mirror.

From The Moon Metal by Serviss, Garrett Putman