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
Helicopters and World War II-era warplanes will fly overhead and Army parachutists will soar down to the White House's ellipse, where Trump will preside over the parade from a presidential booth.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 15 June 2025
There are also plans for a parachute jump by the Army's Golden Knights at the White House ellipse.
—Nik Popli, Time, 12 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ellipse
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 15 June 2025
There are also plans for a parachute jump by the Army's Golden Knights at the White House ellipse.
—Nik Popli, Time, 12 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ellipse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ellipse
Noun
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Plants maintain a dense oval crown with little pruning.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
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To complete the bedroom setup, spring for the Everson oval glass nightstands.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Nationally, egg prices have continued to trend downward, with June posting an average price of $3.775 for one dozen grade A large eggs, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
6 Aug. 2025
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Add the egg, cornstarch and lemon zest and mix well.—
Sami Tamimi
August 6,
Literary Hub,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Admire July’s bright lunar orb, known as the full buck moon, on July 10.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
3 July 2025
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Included in the collection are orbs, scepters, and crowns housed at the Tower of London today, which continue to be used during monumental royal occasions, such as the crowning of a new king or queen.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Discover Magazine,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ellipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ellipse. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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