eclipse

1 of 2

noun

i-ˈklips 

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

• 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

a

: obscure, darken

b

: to reduce in importance or repute

c

: surpass

her score eclipsed the old record

Synonyms of eclipse

Noun

• declination
• deterioration
• decline
• degradation
• descent

Verb

• surpass
• exceed
• top
• better

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

Those in London with eclipse glasses will see a 91% partial eclipse; in Paris, 92%; in Berlin, about 85%; and in Vienna, 87%. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The partial eclipse here will be a technical affair, but the island's open beaches provide excellent naked-eye conditions for Perseid observing after dark, especially looking away from nearby coastal development. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2026

Verb

Our team reports that as people emerge from the life-or-death struggle for survival, which eclipsed all thought and numbed sensations, their trauma is transforming into a stunned grief. — James Gordon, Time, 14 July 2026

The Rolling Stones frontman’s star wattage managed to temporarily eclipse the FIFA World Cup action Saturday during the quarterfinal at Hard Rock Stadium. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing eclipse

• annular eclipse
• eclipse plumage
• into eclipse
• lunar eclipse
• solar eclipse
• total eclipse

Rhymes for eclipse

• airships
• airstrips
• clerkships
• ellipse
• equips
• filmstrips
• gunships
• judgeships
• lightships
• outstrips
• parsnips
• spaceships

Kids Definition

eclipse

1 of 2 noun

i-ˈklips 

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