blood moon

[ bluhd moon ]

noun

1. a total lunar eclipse, during which a small amount of the sun’s light is refracted through the earth’s atmosphere, causing the blue wavelengths to scatter and allowing more of the red wavelengths to reach the moon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blood moon¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The closer the moon is to the Earth during an eclipse, the redder it looks, making it a super blood moon.

From Slate

This is a total lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon.

From New York Times

The so-called blood moon prophecy was popularized through books they penned in the 2010s.

From Los Angeles Times

But blood moon has a heavier alternate meaning, Krupp said.

From Los Angeles Times

You’ve heard of a blue moon, maybe even a blood moon, but what about a black moon?

From Seattle Times