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 full occultation was visible across a swath of North America, Western Africa and the Atlantic Ocean, where the moon passed directly between Jupiter and the observer. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026

The star in my second occultation was brighter, and the dimming much longer, so no squinting was required. — David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2026

To rule this scenario out, the team built a lumpy ring model and ran 10 million simulated occultations. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2026

What is an eclipse — or occultation? — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026

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