solar eclipse

noun

: an eclipse of the sun by the moon see eclipse illustration

Examples of solar eclipse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will travel south through eastern Greenland, across the western edge of Iceland, and over northern Spain. Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025 Spain’s Basque Country has made the list as one of the few places on land where phenomena enthusiasts should be able to see the total solar eclipse due next August 12. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025 View the solar eclipse in a historic Spanish city. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 Few studies have analyzed in detail how specific bird species respond to solar eclipses, which occur when the moon is aligned just so to momentarily mask the sun. Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for solar eclipse

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of solar eclipse was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Solar eclipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar%20eclipse. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

solar eclipse

noun
: an eclipse of the sun by the moon

More from Merriam-Webster on solar eclipse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!