lunar eclipse

noun

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Definition of lunar eclipse

: an eclipse in which the full moon passes partially or wholly through the umbra of the earth's shadow

Recent Examples of lunar eclipse from the Web

Blood moons happen during a lunar eclipse, when the moon appears rust-colored.

— sarah gray, Fortune, "Everything You Need to Know to Watch This Month's Supermoon Lunar Eclipse," 31 Jan. 2017
The images range from an 1896 lunar eclipse to a 1957 photograph of the comet Arend-Roland.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Space Pictures From 1895 Found in a Basement," 29 Dec. 2015
Skygazers are in for a triple treat early Wednesday, when a total lunar eclipse occurs during a blue moon and a supermoon.

— mahita gajanan, Time, "Watch Live as a Rare ‘Super Blue Blood Moon’ Eclipse Crosses the Sky," 31 Jan. 2018
Though there is no full moon in February this year, a total lunar eclipse in Leo occurs on January 31, setting the stage for the first two weeks of the month.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What February's Aquarius Horoscope Means for You," 30 Jan. 2018
The super blue moon will pass through Earth's shadow to give viewers in the right location a total lunar eclipse.

— leada gore, AL.com, "What is the blood moon prophecy? Conspiracy theories abound ahead of Super Blue Blood Moon," 30 Jan. 2018
Well, the solar system, in all its majesty, is giving Earthlings a reason to set an early alarm on Wednesday, January 31 (aka, the middle of the night tonight): a super-blue-blood-moon total lunar eclipse.

— gwynedd stuart, Los Angeles Magazine, "How to See the Super-Blue-Blood-Moon Total Lunar Eclipse in L.A.," 30 Jan. 2018
Schipani took cues from the moody tones of the total lunar eclipse, which occurs every one to two years, and dyed one of her clients' hair stunning shades of blue and orange.

— devon abelman, Allure, "This Witchy Black Hair Color Is Inspired by the Blood Moon," 5 Apr. 2018
Here’s what else to know about the upcoming total lunar eclipse, supermoon and blue moon.

— melissa chan, Time, "A Rare Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse That Hasn't Been Seen in 35 Years Is Coming Soon. Here's What You Need to Know," 10 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lunar eclipse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.