eclipse

1 of 2

noun

i-ˈklips How to pronounce eclipse (audio)
Synonyms of eclipse
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
also : the state of being eclipsed
his reputation has fallen into eclipse
3
: the state of being in eclipse plumage

Illustration of eclipse

Illustration of eclipse
  • E earth
  • M moon in solar eclipse
  • P penumbra
  • S sun
  • U umbra

eclipse

2 of 2

verb

eclipsed; eclipsing

transitive verb

: to cause an eclipse of: such as
a
: obscure, darken
b
: to reduce in importance or repute
c
: surpass
her score eclipsed the old record

Synonyms of eclipse

Relevance

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This experimental, eclipse-creating coronagraph will allow Roman to directly image any planet, however faint, that might be orbiting the masked star. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 As the eclipse peaked, all but a thin sliver of the moon was covered by Earth’s shadow. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
The world's largest rocket, eclipsing 400 feet when fully stacked, has so far only launched on flight tests from South Texas at SpaceX's Starbase headquarters. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Amoore finished with a career-high six 3-pointers, helping to easily eclipse her previous best of 14 points in a game. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eclipse

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle English eclipse, clips, borrowed from Anglo-French eclyps, eclypse, borrowed from Latin eclīpsis, borrowed from Greek ékleipsis "abandonment, failure, cessation, obscuring of a celestial body by another," from ekleípein "to leave out, abandon, cease, die, be obscured (of a celestial body)" (from ek- ec- + leípein "to leave, quit, be missing") + -sis -sis — more at delinquent entry 2

Verb

Middle English eclypsen, clypsen, derivative of eclipse eclipse entry 1, probably after Medieval Latin eclīpsāre or Middle French esclipser

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eclipse was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing eclipse

Rhymes for eclipse

See All Rhymes for eclipse

Browse Nearby Words

eclegma
eclipse
eclipse plumage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eclipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eclipse. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

eclipse

1 of 2 noun
i-ˈklips How to pronounce eclipse (audio)
1
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

More from Merriam-Webster on eclipse

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eclipse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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