occultation

noun

oc·​cul·​ta·​tion ˌä-(ˌ)kəl-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce occultation (audio)
1
: the state of being hidden from view or lost to notice
2
: the interruption of the light from a celestial body or of the signals from a spacecraft by the intervention of a celestial body
especially : an eclipse of a star or planet by the moon

Examples of occultation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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On June 25, 2025, Rick Nolthenius, an astronomer at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California, and his former student, amateur astronomer Kirk Bender, set out to observe the Quaoar system during an occultation. Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025 The third one was new to me – It’s called radio occultation. John Werner, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025 During this occultation of Saturn, the light reflecting off the gas giant became briefly blocked by the moon. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for occultation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English occultacion, borrowed from Latin occultātiōn-, occultātiō "concealment, interruption of light from a celestial body," from occultāre "to prevent from being seen, conceal, keep secret" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at occult entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of occultation was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Occultation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occultation. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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