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
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
Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026
Other particularly good spots to see this eclipse are Zaragoza, Spain, and Segovia, a Spanish city that’s just an hour from Madrid, and Sant Elm on the Balearic island of Mallorca.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 18 June 2026
Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
The all-cash, off-market deal was recorded June 9, becoming the county’s first residential sale to surpass nine figures, eclipsing the previous record by $40 million.
—Sandra Barrera, Oc Register, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for eclipse
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Noun
The package also includes eclipse viewing glasses so travelers can stare at the celestial event without damaging their eyes.
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026
Other particularly good spots to see this eclipse are Zaragoza, Spain, and Segovia, a Spanish city that’s just an hour from Madrid, and Sant Elm on the Balearic island of Mallorca.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 18 June 2026
Verb
The previous record for goals was 23, set by Callie Tumilty last season, and Burke’s 97 points eclipsed the old mark of 61.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
The all-cash, off-market deal was recorded June 9, becoming the county’s first residential sale to surpass nine figures, eclipsing the previous record by $40 million.
—Sandra Barrera, Oc Register, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for eclipse
Cite this Entry
“Eclipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eclipse. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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