occultation

noun

oc·​cul·​ta·​tion ˌä-(ˌ)kəl-ˈtā-shən 

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

The occultation will last less than an hour, after which Regulus will reappear on the other side of the moon. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 8 Jan. 2026

In some parts of the world, the moon will pass in front of the star in an event called an occultation. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 6 Jan. 2026

This occultation will still be close to the horizon, near sunset. —Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025

In some regions across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America, the moon will pass directly in front of Venus — a rare event called a lunar occultation, Star Walk said in a Facebook post. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for occultation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation