What does eclipsing mean?
Eclipsing refers to the act of obscuring or surpassing. In its literal astronomical sense, it describes the phenomenon in which one celestial body passes between another body and its source of light — as when the moon moves between the sun and Earth during a solar eclipse. More commonly encountered in everyday English, however, is the figurative sense: to eclipse something means to outshine it, dwarf it, or render it comparatively insignificant. A new technology might be said to be eclipsing an older one; a rising athlete may be eclipsing established champions. The word derives from the Greek 'ekleipsis', meaning abandonment or failure (specifically, the failing of light), which passed into Latin and then Old French before entering English. Because of its vivid astronomical origin, 'eclipsing' carries a slightly dramatic register even when used metaphorically, lending weight to comparisons of achievement, prominence, or visibility. It functions primarily as a verb form but can also serve as a formal gerund or verbal noun.
Obscuring the light of a celestial body by interposing another body between it and the observer or its source of light; figuratively, surpassing or overshadowing in importance, quality, or achievement.
"The young pianist is quickly eclipsing her contemporaries in technical mastery."
Both literal astronomical and figurative senses are well-established; context almost always disambiguates.
The act or process of obscuring or surpassing something.
"The gradual eclipsing of print media by digital platforms has reshaped journalism."
Relatively formal register, typically followed by an 'of'-phrase.
Astronomers use 'eclipsing binary' to describe paired stars that take turns blocking each other's light from our view.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eclipsing
Eclipsing derives from the verb 'eclipse', which entered English in the late Middle Ages from Old French 'eclipser', ultimately tracing back to Latin 'eclipsis' and Greek 'ekleipsis' — literally an abandonment or failure, referring to the failure of light. The same Greek root gives us 'ecliptic' (the sun's apparent annual path) and, more distantly through related morphology, words like 'ellipsis'. The participial form 'eclipsing' has been used since early modern English both for literal astronomical events and, increasingly, in figurative contexts of surpassing or overshadowing.
Related word forms
How eclipsing is actually used
Commonly used both literally (astronomy) and figuratively (comparison of people, achievements, or objects). The figurative sense carries a neutral-to-slightly-dramatic connotation. The noun form ('the eclipsing of...') is relatively formal and less common than the verb use.
Easily confused with eclipsing
An 'ellipse' is an oval geometric shape, while 'eclipsing' refers to obscuring a light source or surpassing in importance — the two share Greek roots but have entirely different meanings.