total eclipse

American  

noun

1. an eclipse in which the surface of the eclipsed body is completely obscured.

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total eclipse British  

noun

1. an eclipse as seen from a particular area of the earth's surface where the eclipsed body is completely hidden Compare annular eclipse partial eclipse

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total eclipse Scientific  

/ tōt′l /

1. An eclipse in which the entire surface of a celestial object is obscured.

2. See more at eclipse

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Etymology

Origin of total eclipse

First recorded in 1665–75

Compare meaning

How does total-eclipse compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• annular vs. total eclipse

Example Sentences

There’s a lot happening—from America’s birthday bash to the World Cup to a total eclipse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

For an even more enhanced observing experience, find a dark environment away from bright lights to attend the total eclipse show.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

An “annulus” of bright sunlight rings the moon, but the spectacular corona isn’t visible as it would be during a total eclipse.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2024

Although only a narrow band of North America experienced a total eclipse, the phenomenon reduced lunar visibility elsewhere, experts said.

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2024

But after photographs of the 1919 total eclipse showed that light bent as it passed the sun, the facts proved without a doubt that Einstein was right!

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas