occultation

noun

oc·​cul·​ta·​tion ˌä-(ˌ)kəl-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the state of being hidden from view or lost to notice

2

: the interruption of the light from a celestial body or of the signals from a spacecraft by the intervention of a celestial body

especially : an eclipse of a star or planet by the moon

Examples of occultation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Astronomical League lists the times across the country when the occultation will begin and end—and advises using binoculars to catch the event in its full glory. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

The moon is in an almost six-year pattern of Pleiades occultations, with several more coming in 2025. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

These include monitoring near-Earth asteroids and comets and observing asteroid occultations (when an asteroid passes in front of a star, causing its light to dim) and exoplanet transits (when a planet crosses the face of its parent star) to help confirm discoveries. —PCMAG, 10 Mar. 2025

The places where the occultation happens close to sunset are relatively remote. —Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English occultacion, borrowed from Latin occultātiōn-, occultātiō "concealment, interruption of light from a celestial body," from occultāre "to prevent from being seen, conceal, keep secret" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at occult entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for occultation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation