Illustration of eclipse
- E earth
- M moon in solar eclipse
- P penumbra
- S sun
- U umbra
1
a
: the total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another
b
: the passing into the shadow of a celestial body compare occultation, transit
2
: a falling into obscurity or decline
3
: the state of being in eclipse plumage
eclipsed; eclipsing
Synonyms
Examples of eclipse in a Sentence
Noun
an eclipse of the sun
The popularity of television led to the eclipse of the radio drama.
an artist whose reputation has long been in eclipse
Verb
The sun was partially eclipsed by the moon.
Train travel was eclipsed by the growth of commercial airlines.
Recent Examples on the Web
Will Henshall, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
The best chance to see these planets is at the darkest point of the eclipse.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
Grab free pancakes, buy eclipse glasses Will Saks Fifth Avenue in Indianapolis close for Simon's The Fashion Mall redevelopment?
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Why don't eclipses happen more often — perhaps every month as a part of the lunar cycle?
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Each purchase of the float includes a free pair of eclipse glasses while supplies last.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
At the peak of the eclipse, the moon will obscure approximately 99.4% of the sun.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
On Monday, approximately 99 percent of Americans will be able to observe at least a partial eclipse, according to NASA.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
The science of an eclipse is as real as the stars in the sky.
—Kristine Johnson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 3 Apr. 2024
According to Time and Date, the moon will slowly start eclipsing the sun in Boise at around 11:30 a.m.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2024
Here's your guide to eclipse glasses, forecasts and where to watch.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
What To Watch For The start of the eclipse is set to reach Niagara Falls at 2:04 p.m. on April 8, and the sun will be fully eclipsed for about three minutes, starting at 3:18 p.m.
—James Farrell, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The project is under construction and scheduled to open in 2026, when UC San Diego’s enrollment is projected to eclipse 44,000.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2024
The group that claimed credit, an offshoot of ISIS called Islamic State in Khorasan, or ISIS-K, has eclipsed the once-fearsome core ISIS organization in Iraq and Syria as perhaps the most dangerous terrorist organization, U.S. officials and outside experts say.
—Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
But Trump Tower, where the triplex sits and which opened in 1983, has long been eclipsed by more modern high-rises, according to brokers and analysts.
—Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
If no one wins the next Mega Millions drawing on Friday, the jackpot could soon eclipse the $1 billion mark and climb the record books as one of the largest jackpots in the game's history.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
Noun
Totality Totality’s main feature is a nifty map that displays the path of the eclipse.
—Will Henshall, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
The best chance to see these planets is at the darkest point of the eclipse.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
Grab free pancakes, buy eclipse glasses Will Saks Fifth Avenue in Indianapolis close for Simon's The Fashion Mall redevelopment?
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Why don't eclipses happen more often — perhaps every month as a part of the lunar cycle?
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Each purchase of the float includes a free pair of eclipse glasses while supplies last.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
At the peak of the eclipse, the moon will obscure approximately 99.4% of the sun.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
On Monday, approximately 99 percent of Americans will be able to observe at least a partial eclipse, according to NASA.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
The science of an eclipse is as real as the stars in the sky.
—Kristine Johnson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
The nine-run inning was a season high for Arkansas, eclipsing its eight-run sixth inning in an 18-5 run-rule win over McNeese State on March 10.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 3 Apr. 2024
According to Time and Date, the moon will slowly start eclipsing the sun in Boise at around 11:30 a.m.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2024
Here's your guide to eclipse glasses, forecasts and where to watch.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
What To Watch For The start of the eclipse is set to reach Niagara Falls at 2:04 p.m. on April 8, and the sun will be fully eclipsed for about three minutes, starting at 3:18 p.m.
—James Farrell, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The project is under construction and scheduled to open in 2026, when UC San Diego’s enrollment is projected to eclipse 44,000.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2024
The group that claimed credit, an offshoot of ISIS called Islamic State in Khorasan, or ISIS-K, has eclipsed the once-fearsome core ISIS organization in Iraq and Syria as perhaps the most dangerous terrorist organization, U.S. officials and outside experts say.
—Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
But Trump Tower, where the triplex sits and which opened in 1983, has long been eclipsed by more modern high-rises, according to brokers and analysts.
—Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
If no one wins the next Mega Millions drawing on Friday, the jackpot could soon eclipse the $1 billion mark and climb the record books as one of the largest jackpots in the game's history.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eclipse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
borrowed from Middle English eclipse, clips, borrowed from Anglo-French eclyps, eclypse, borrowed from Latin eclīpsis, borrowed from Greek ékleipsis "abandonment, failure, cessation, obscuring of a celestial body by another," from ekleípein "to leave out, abandon, cease, die, be obscured (of a celestial body)" (from ek- ec- + leípein "to leave, quit, be missing") + -sis -sis — more at delinquent entry 2
Verb
Middle English eclypsen, clypsen, derivative of eclipse eclipse entry 1, probably after Medieval Latin eclīpsāre or Middle French esclipser
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of eclipse was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing eclipse
Articles Related to eclipse
Dictionary Entries Near eclipse
Cite this Entry
“Eclipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eclipse. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
eclipse
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the total or partial hiding of a planet, star, or moon by another
b
: the passing into the shadow of a planet, star, or moon
2
: a falling into disgrace or out of use or public favor
eclipse
2 of 2 verb
eclipsed; eclipsing
1
: to cause an eclipse of
2
a
: to reduce in importance
b
: to do or be much better than : outshine
More from Merriam-Webster on eclipse
Nglish: Translation of eclipse for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of eclipse for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eclipse
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