total eclipse

noun

Updated on: 14 Apr 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

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
Californians will be treated to the total eclipse phase from start to finish, though the penumbral shadow will pass after the moon has set.

— david caraccio, sacbee, "You have a good seat on West Coast for viewing super blue blood moon | The Sacramento Bee," 29 Jan. 2018
The total eclipse lines up with a supermoon, when the moon is biggest in the sky, as well as a blue moon, the second full moon in a calendar month.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "NASA to Livestream Super Blue Blood Moon Through Telescopes Around the Country," 29 Jan. 2018
In this series, the total eclipses occur every 18 years from June 25, 1657, to April 7, 2144.

— blaine friedlander, Washington Post, "The super blue blood moon happens Wednesday. Here’s how to see it.," 29 Jan. 2018
The addition of a total eclipse is known as a blood moon for its red tint.

— david caraccio, sacbee, "Fog? Overslept? No worries - here’s what the super blue blood moon looked like | The Sacramento Bee," 31 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.