total eclipse

noun

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of total eclipse

: an eclipse in which one celestial body is completely obscured by the shadow or body of another

Recent Examples of total eclipse from the Web

To mark 2017’s solar sensation, the first 148 visitors each morning on Aug. 19-21 will receive a total eclipse mini-bat.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Want some eclipse swag? Slugger Museum offering commemorative mini-bats," 17 Aug. 2017
People who remain in Louisville on Aug. 21 will see the moon cover about 95 percent of the sun, but a total eclipse is much different, Troland said.

— morgan watkins, The Courier-Journal, "Why the Great American Eclipse a really big deal in Kentucky," 2 Sep. 2016
Unfortunately in the eastern United States, the moon will set in the sky before the total eclipse begins.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "The Most Spectacular Eclipse of 2018 Is Tomorrow," 30 Jan. 2018
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photographer Mike De Sisti gives a few tips on checking out and photographing the super-blood-blue-moon total eclipse at 6:51 a.m. Wednesday.

— mike de sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "How to photograph, make the super-blood-blue-moon total eclipse a family event," 30 Jan. 2018
The Venn diagram of financial, psychological, and physical strain was more of a total eclipse.

— sloane crosley, The Cut, "The Doctor Is a Woman," 26 Mar. 2018
The total eclipsed the previous best of 71 by San Diego’s Charde Houston in 2002 and is the fourth-highest in state history.

— union-tribune, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Prep Athletes of the Month for January," 3 Feb. 2018
The next total eclipse of the sun visible in the U.S. will occur on April 8, 2024.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "Missed the super blue blood moon eclipse? Here's when you'll see the next one.," 31 Jan. 2018
Barring clouds in the northwest sky, Wednesday's total eclipse of the blue moon will be visible low in the western sky.

— mike de sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "How to photograph, make the super-blood-blue-moon total eclipse a family event," 30 Jan. 2018

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