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 third one was new to me – It’s called radio occultation. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

The Cyan boundaries show the curves of the occultation disappearance or reappearance at moonrise or moonset. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 19 July 2025

During this occultation of Saturn, the light reflecting off the gas giant became briefly blocked by the moon. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 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