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
Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 1 Mar. 2025
For this eclipse, the Western Hemisphere will be treated to the view, including all of North America.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
Williams and Bernard were the only two receivers to eclipse 150 yards last season, so this group needs more dependable options to take the passing game to the next level.
—Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eclipse
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
Around 814 million people will be within the eclipse's reach, but only a lucky 44,800 people in far northern Quebec will experience more than a 90% eclipsed sun.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 1 Mar. 2025
For this eclipse, the Western Hemisphere will be treated to the view, including all of North America.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
The 19 points marked Bridges’ highest-scoring quarter of the season and eclipsed his full-game output from each of the previous seven games.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
Williams and Bernard were the only two receivers to eclipse 150 yards last season, so this group needs more dependable options to take the passing game to the next level.
—Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for eclipse
Articles Related to eclipse
Cite this Entry
“Eclipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eclipse. Accessed 11 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share