blue moon

noun

1
: a very long period of time
usually used in the phrase once in a blue moon
such people happen along only once in a blue moonSaturday Rev.
2
: a second full moon in a calendar month

Examples of blue moon in a Sentence

once in a blue moon we'll get dressed up and eat in a fancy restaurant
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are also two types of blue moons: monthly and seasonal. Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 8 Aug. 2024 The last seasonal blue moon was in August 2021, and the next one won't occur until May 2027. Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 16 Aug. 2024 The second definition − which arose from a misunderstanding of the original − is the monthly blue moon, referring to the second full moon in a single calendar month. Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Aug. 2024 As with supermoons, there are varying definitions for blue moons — monthly and seasonal. Riane Lumer, CNN, 19 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for blue moon 

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue moon was in 1821

Dictionary Entries Near blue moon

Cite this Entry

“Blue moon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20moon. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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