verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/rɪˈflɛktəɹaɪz/
US:/rəˈflɛktəɹaɪz/
US:/ˌriˈ-/
1
verb
Meaning 1
To make (a traffic sign) reflective.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
Where not lit, regulatory signs must be reflectorized with retroreflective materials.
The department, upon registering a vehicle, shall issue to the owner two partially or fully reflectorized license plates or devices for a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and one partially or fully reflectorized license plate or device for all other vehicles required to be registered under this code. https://web.archive.org/web/20070601034507/http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc4850.htm
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
provide with reflectors, such as chemicals
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the driveway was reflectorized for safety reasons
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: reflectorise
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: supply, provide, render, furnish
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English reflector Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English reflectorize From reflector + -ize.
