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

Skywatchers in the UK will be treated to another partial solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, when the Arctic, eastern Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain will experience a rarer total eclipse.

From BBC

It’s only during a total eclipse, when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun and covers the photosphere that we are able to see the solar corona, the Sun’s outermost layer.

From BBC

And by that time, she'll be even more of an expert on total eclipses.

From BBC

Earlier this month, millions of Americans looked up at the sky to witness a total eclipse.

From New York Times

The first was an unusually sharp shadow caused by a passing airplane just after the total eclipse concluded.

From New York Times