as in oval
a shape that resembles a flattened circle
The teacher drew an ellipse on the chalkboard that intended to illustrate the moon's orbit around the Earth.
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Recent Examples of ellipse
Jupiter has a tilt of only three degrees, but its orbit is more elliptical than Earth’s, making its analemma a simpler ellipse in its sky.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 5 June 2025
Since the Earth’s orbit is an ellipse and not a circle, the planet is about 1.7% closer to the Sun in early January compared with its annual average.
—Steven R. Fassnacht, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025
These integrals are rather difficult expressions that started off as parts of an attempt to measure the circumference of an ellipse.
—Richard Jensen, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2025
According to preliminary data, Blue Ghost settled in a location just outside of its 330-foot (100-meter) target landing ellipse, probably due to the last-minute divert maneuvers ordered by the vehicle's hazard avoidance system.
—Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ellipse
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 5 June 2025
Since the Earth’s orbit is an ellipse and not a circle, the planet is about 1.7% closer to the Sun in early January compared with its annual average.
—Steven R. Fassnacht, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025
These integrals are rather difficult expressions that started off as parts of an attempt to measure the circumference of an ellipse.
—Richard Jensen, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2025
According to preliminary data, Blue Ghost settled in a location just outside of its 330-foot (100-meter) target landing ellipse, probably due to the last-minute divert maneuvers ordered by the vehicle's hazard avoidance system.
—Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ellipse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ellipse
Noun
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Nor is this IndyCar, which has a sprinkling of ovals on a calendar otherwise dominated by road racing.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
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The seaside oval will be bringing back a number of recurring events throughout the season.—
Kelley Carlson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Noun
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An image of a wooden cane pokes up from the bottom to divide the painting while a floating constellation of deviled eggs looms above her head — a nod to menopause and losing her fertility.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
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Tending to chickens means daily routines: feeding, watering, checking for eggs, and keeping the coop clean.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 July 2025
Noun
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With 66 distinct incidents logged between January and late June, the state has had reports of an array of mysterious aerial objects, ranging from glowing orbs and silent triangles to fast-moving disks and shape-shifting lights.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
7 July 2025
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The orbs, Horton explained, are modeled after Japanese fishing net floats that can break free and bob and glisten in the water.—
Stacey Leasca,
AFAR Media,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ellipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ellipse. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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