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
There is also the matter of landing accuracy, typically described as a landing ellipse, or the elliptical area on a planetary surface that defines the range of possible touchdown spots for a spacecraft.
—
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
That orbit in general is an ellipse, an oval shape.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 25 July 2025
The Oakley Ellipse 50th Anniversary pair, designed to reflect the ellipse of the Oakley logo, retains the brand's futurist aesthetic with the lens shape and curve, known at Oakley as the PhysioMorphic Geometry.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The above pic shows how the landing target for the rover, also known as Curiosity, has been changed: from an ellipse 20 kilometers by 25 kilometers, the new target is just 7 kilometers by 20 kilometers.
—IEEE Spectrum, 12 June 2012
See All Example Sentences for ellipse
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
That orbit in general is an ellipse, an oval shape.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 25 July 2025
The Oakley Ellipse 50th Anniversary pair, designed to reflect the ellipse of the Oakley logo, retains the brand's futurist aesthetic with the lens shape and curve, known at Oakley as the PhysioMorphic Geometry.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The above pic shows how the landing target for the rover, also known as Curiosity, has been changed: from an ellipse 20 kilometers by 25 kilometers, the new target is just 7 kilometers by 20 kilometers.
—IEEE Spectrum, 12 June 2012
See All Example Sentences for ellipse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ellipse
Noun
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Wyeth modeled the office on the oval Blue Room in the main building, which now has a view south to the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Lee Sunday Evans once again directs, much of the original ensemble (including a mini-orchestra) has returned, and Krit Robinson’s wooden oval is back, in slightly larger form.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Morgenthaler’s version—amaretto and lemon, punched up with a pour of high-proof bourbon, and smoothed out with an egg white—utterly transforms the drink.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
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Simply melt the chocolate in the microwave; then whisk in sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla, and salt.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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According to Oza’s analyses, the erupting orb would have to be within one planetary radius of WASP-39b—practically skimming the planet’s cloud tops.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Scientific American,
13 Oct. 2025
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The ring detail also added flair to a more maximalist sandal with chunky orb embellishments along the straps.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ellipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ellipse. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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