ecliptic

1 of 2

adjective

eclip·​tic i-ˈklip-tik 

: of or relating to the ecliptic or an eclipse

ecliptic

2 of 2

noun

: the great circle of the celestial sphere that is the apparent path of the sun among the stars or of the earth as seen from the sun : the plane of the earth's orbit extended to meet the celestial sphere

Examples of ecliptic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The ecliptic — the path followed approximately by the sun, moon and planets — meets the eastern evening horizon at a particularly shallow angle. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026

This phenomenon happens because, on September evenings, the ecliptic—the Sun’s apparent path across the sky, near which the Moon also travels—makes a shallow angle with the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

Unlike dawn, however, the zodiacal light appears as a distinct cone or wedge of light extending upwards from the horizon along the ecliptic — the apparent path the sun, moon and planets follow across the sky. — Jules-Pierre Malartre, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Unlike dawn, the zodiacal light appears as a distinct cone or wedge of light extending upward from the horizon along the ecliptic, which is the path the sun, moon, and planets follow across the sky. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English ekliptik, borrowed from Latin eclīpticus, borrowed from Greek ekleiptikós, from ekleípein "to be obscured (of a celestial body)" + -t-, verbal adjective ending + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at eclipse entry 1

Noun

Middle English ekliptik, borrowed from Medieval Latin eclīptica (short for eclīptica līnea "ecliptic line"), from feminine of Latin eclīpticus ecliptic entry 1; so called because eclipses occur on or near the ecliptic

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ecliptic

• elliptic
• apocalyptic
• cryptic
• diptych
• styptic
• triptych
• tryptic

Kids Definition

ecliptic

noun

eclip·​tic

i-ˈklip-tik

: the great circle of the celestial sphere on which the sun appears to move among the stars