as in oval
a shape that resembles a flattened circle
The teacher drew an ellipse on the chalkboard that intended to illustrate the moon's orbit around the Earth.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ellipse
That's because all planets orbit the sun in a slight ellipse.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
But the four-ellipse diagram doesn’t have rotational symmetry.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2025
All planets orbit stars in an ellipse.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Perihelion occurs because the Earth’s path around the sun is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse, whereby the distance between the planet and the sun changes during the year.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ellipse
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
But the four-ellipse diagram doesn’t have rotational symmetry.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2025
All planets orbit stars in an ellipse.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Perihelion occurs because the Earth’s path around the sun is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse, whereby the distance between the planet and the sun changes during the year.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ellipse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ellipse
Noun
-
There’s also in indoor portion, an oval bar reminiscent of the cozy drinking holes sometimes found on cruise ships.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
This is especially true as NASCAR heads into a seven-race stretch that includes an assortment of wild-card tracks with three races on road courses and a drafting oval.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Top with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and pecans (if using) Make Topping Beat the remaining 2 egg whites on high until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 May 2025
-
Use pasteurized eggs when any preparing dishes that call for uncooked eggs.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
The seven-piece Metamorphosis collection, which has a butterfly motif, includes an 18-karat yellow gold butterfly ring, at $1,100, and an 18-karat gold chain that is meant to be wrapped around a wearer’s finger and wrist, so its gold orb is displayed on the back of the hand.—
Felicia Craddock,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
-
The image reveals two pinpoint-like white stars near the center, with a blue orb slightly below and to the right.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ellipse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ellipse. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share