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

Article continues below Gnanamoorthy kept a watchful eye on the weather forecast as the eclipse drew closer, tracking cloud fronts that could make or break his expedition. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Its flagship, Son Vell, opened three years ago on the Balearic island of Menorca, which just happens to be one of the ideal perches from which to witness the eclipse. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2026

Verb

The sunniness outside is eclipsed by that inside the hotel. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2026

Perhaps appropriately, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray also eclipsed 50 – as in points, with 53. —Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 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