full moon

noun

1. the moon when the whole of its disk is illuminated, occurring when in opposition to the sun.

2. the phase of the moon at this time.

full moon

noun

1. one of the four phases of the moon, occurring when the earth lies between the sun and the moon so that the moon is visible as a fully illuminated disc

2. the moon in this phase

3. the time at which this occurs

full moon

1. The phase of the Moon in which it is visible as a fully illuminated disk. This phase occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth as the Sun and is not in Earth's shadow.

2. See more at moon Compare new moon

Word History and Origins

Origin of full moon¹

before 1000; Middle English ful moyne, Old English fulles monan

Example Sentences

And the usually gruff and unsentimental Lord Fredrick Ashton was discussing wallpaper with Mrs. Clarke and cheerily picking baby names, and with a full moon coming on, too!

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“And when the other lads found out what came over me at the full moon...If you were me you’d be a bit secretive too, I’d expect.”

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“On occasion I have seen Lord Fredrick acting in a most peculiar way at the full moon,” she said warily.

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They howled, and howled, and howled again, long and loud and mournful, as if the sky were made of nothing but full moons.

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Its most popular event — a full moon hike capped with yoga, a sound bath and stargazing — happens every month, timed to the moonrise, and often it draws dozens of newcomers.

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