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

Collectively, this eclipse shifts the focus from external applause and superficial validation to social consciousness. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

Their silence came largely out of respect for the victims’ families and the trauma of those left behind, which Mel Kohberger emphasized eclipses her own family’s fallout. —Theresa Braine, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026

Verb

The Hurricanes quarterback eclipsed his total passing yards from UM’s first two playoff wins in the first half alone. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026

That record was eclipsed by the 2015 NHL Winter Classic with 15,000 fans, and smashed even further by Taylor’s Swift’s The Eras Tour in 2023 as 23,400 Swifties boarded VTA light rail. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 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