blood moon

American

[bluhd moon] / ˈblʌd ˌmun /

noun

a total lunar eclipse, during which a small amount of the sun’s light is refracted through the earth’s atmosphere, causing the blue wavelengths to scatter and allowing more of the red wavelengths to reach the moon.

Etymology

Origin of blood moon

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

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blood moon

Once, they brought in a shaman to cleanse the house with sage and cedar during a full blood moon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026

A stunning "blood moon" was created as the Moon moved into Earth's shadow, gradually darkening before turning a dusky red.

From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2025

The closer the moon is to the Earth during an eclipse, the redder it looks, making it a super blood moon.

From Slate ● Apr. 5, 2024

This is a total lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon.

From New York Times ● Mar. 24, 2024

Some of the sails bore devices from the other islands; the blood moon of Wynch, Lord Goodbrother's banded black warhom, Harlaw's silver scythe.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023