countable astronomya short period when all or part of the sun or moon becomes dark, because of the positions of the sun, moon, and earth in relation to each other. A total eclipse is when the sun or moon is completely covered. An eclipse of the sun is called a solar eclipse, and an eclipse of the moon is called a lunar eclipse.
Synonyms and related words
The movement of the sun, moon and stars
rise
go down
eclipse
2
singular/uncountable a time when someone or something starts to seem less successful or important, because another person or thing has become more successful or important than they are
The rise of one aristocraticfamilyusuallymeant the eclipse of another.
be in eclipse:
Their politicalpower was in eclipse at the time.
Synonyms and related words
Periods of loss or lack of success
failure
wilderness
eclipse
eclipse
noun
US /ɪˈklɪps/
Other entries for this word
eclipseverb
lunar eclipsenoun
total eclipsenoun
Word Forms
singular
eclipse
plural
eclipses
DEFINITIONS2
1
countable astronomya short period when all or part of the sun or moon becomes dark, because of the positions of the sun, moon, and earth in relation to each other. A total eclipse is when the sun or moon is completely covered. An eclipse of the sun is called a solar eclipse, and an eclipse of the moon is called a lunar eclipse.
Synonyms and related words
The movement of the sun, moon and stars
rise
go down
eclipse
2
singular/uncountable a time when someone or something starts to seem less successful or important, because another person or thing has become more successful or important than they are
The rise of one aristocraticfamilyusuallymeant the eclipse of another.
be in eclipse:
Their politicalpower was in eclipse at the time.
Synonyms and related words
Periods of loss or lack of success
failure
wilderness
eclipse
eclipse
verb transitive
UK /ɪˈklɪps/
Other entries for this word
eclipsenoun
lunar eclipsenoun
total eclipsenoun
totaleclipse at eclipse
solareclipse at eclipse
lunareclipse at eclipse
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
eclipse
he/she/it
eclipses
present participle
eclipsing
past tense
eclipsed
past participle
eclipsed
DEFINITIONS2
1
to make someone or something seem less successful or important, by becoming more successful or important than they are
His performance was eclipsed by Francisco’s winninggoal.
This tragicaccident has eclipsed the two disasters on the railways last year.
Synonyms and related words
To make something seem less important or special
play down
minimize
downplay
2
astronomyto make the sun or moon become partly or completely dark because of the position of the sun, moon, and earth in relation to each other
Synonyms and related words
The movement of the sun, moon and stars
rise
go down
eclipse
eclipse
verb transitive
US /ɪˈklɪps/
Other entries for this word
eclipsenoun
lunar eclipsenoun
total eclipsenoun
totaleclipse at eclipse
solareclipse at eclipse
lunareclipse at eclipse
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
eclipse
he/she/it
eclipses
present participle
eclipsing
past tense
eclipsed
past participle
eclipsed
DEFINITIONS2
1
to make someone or something seem less successful or important, by becoming more successful or important than they are
This tragicaccident has eclipsed the two railroaddisasters last year.
His performance was eclipsed by Francisco’s winninghomerun.
Synonyms and related words
To make something seem less important or special
play down
minimize
downplay
2
astronomyto make the sun or moon become partly or completely dark because of the position of the sun, moon, and earth in relation to each other