eclipse

1 of 2

noun

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
also : the state of being eclipsed
his reputation has fallen into eclipse
3
: the state of being in eclipse plumage

Illustration of eclipse

Illustration of eclipse
  • E earth
  • M moon in solar eclipse
  • P penumbra
  • S sun
  • U umbra

eclipse

2 of 2

verb

eclipsed; eclipsing

transitive verb

: to cause an eclipse of: such as
b
: to reduce in importance or repute
c
: surpass
her score eclipsed the old record

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
Noun
The full eclipse will only be visible from parts of Africa, South America, Antarctica, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, though broad swaths of Africa and South America will be in the path of the partial eclipse. Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 However, a partial eclipse will be viewable from Hawaii starting around 6:10 a.m. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 2 Oct. 2024
Verb
After eclipsing 100 yards in each of the first five games, Nathan Whitwell was held to 36 yards on 16 carries. Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Oct. 2024 Helene is only eclipsed – so far – by Katrina (2005, deaths 1,392), Audrey (1957, deaths 416) and Camille (1969, deaths 256). Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for eclipse 

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

Dictionary Entries Near eclipse

Cite this Entry

“Eclipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eclipse. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

eclipse

1 of 2 noun
1
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

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