Illustration of eclipse
- E earth
- M moon in solar eclipse
- P penumbra
- S sun
- U umbra
1
a
: the total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another
b
: the passing into the shadow of a celestial body compare occultation, transit
2
: a falling into obscurity or decline
3
: the state of being in eclipse plumage
eclipsed; eclipsing
Examples of eclipse in a Sentence
Noun
an eclipse of the sun
The popularity of television led to the eclipse of the radio drama.
an artist whose reputation has long been in eclipse
Verb
The sun was partially eclipsed by the moon.
Train travel was eclipsed by the growth of commercial airlines.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The exact timing of the eclipse depends on your location.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
Jakob’s career then eclipsed those of his older brothers, with Filip and particularly Henrik now his de facto coaches.
—Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eclipse
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Noun
Although eclipse glasses were essential to see any other part of the eclipse, totality was strictly a naked eyesight.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The exact timing of the eclipse depends on your location.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
Queen needs just two more points to pass Trimble’s 568 in 2015 for second in that department and five more rebounds to eclipse Smith’s 322 for second in that category.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2025
Jakob’s career then eclipsed those of his older brothers, with Filip and particularly Henrik now his de facto coaches.
—Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eclipse
Cite this Entry
“Eclipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eclipse. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
eclipse
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the total or partial hiding of a planet, star, or moon by another
b
: the passing into the shadow of a planet, star, or moon
2
: a falling into disgrace or out of use or public favor
eclipse
2 of 2 verb
eclipsed; eclipsing
1
: to cause an eclipse of
2
a
: to reduce in importance
b
: to do or be much better than : outshine
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