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, 2 June 2025
There could be major developments in this storyline by autumn, when eclipse season directly impacts your home life.
—Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 16 May 2025
Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 May 2025
This media cycle was ultimately eclipsed, less than a month later, by the election of Donald Trump as President—another figure who was known for his savvy use of social media, and who, like Kardashian, was seen as famous for being famous.
—M. J. Corey, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for eclipse
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Noun
Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
There could be major developments in this storyline by autumn, when eclipse season directly impacts your home life.
—Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 16 May 2025
Verb
But Reubens says their relationship eclipsed his sense of self and ambitions, and that was a threat too great to bear.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 May 2025
This media cycle was ultimately eclipsed, less than a month later, by the election of Donald Trump as President—another figure who was known for his savvy use of social media, and who, like Kardashian, was seen as famous for being famous.
—M. J. Corey, New Yorker, 24 May 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 10 Jun. 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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