superior conjunction
noun
: a conjunction of a planet with the sun in which the sun is aligned between the earth and the planet
Examples of superior conjunction in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mercury was in superior conjunction (i.e. behind the sun) on January 30th and is now moving eastward away from the sun.
—
Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2019
On the morning of the 26th, Venus will be passing on the far side of the sun as seen from the Earth in a process called called superior conjunction.
—Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Feb. 2021
On this day, Venus will be directly behind the sun as seen from Earth, putting it in what astronomers call superior conjunction.
—Andrew Fazekas, National Geographic, 1 Aug. 2019
Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2019
On the morning of the 26th, Venus will be passing on the far side of the sun as seen from the Earth in a process called called superior conjunction.
—Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Feb. 2021
On this day, Venus will be directly behind the sun as seen from Earth, putting it in what astronomers call superior conjunction.
—Andrew Fazekas, National Geographic, 1 Aug. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superior conjunction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1717, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of superior conjunction was
in 1717
Dictionary Entries Near superior conjunction
Cite this Entry
“Superior conjunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superior%20conjunction. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on superior conjunction
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about superior conjunction
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