solstice

noun

sol·stice ˈsäl-stəs

ˈsōl-,

ˈsȯl-

: either of the two points on the ecliptic at which its distance from the celestial equator is greatest and which is reached by the sun each year about June 21 and December 21

: the time of the sun's passing a solstice which occurs about June 21 to begin summer in the northern hemisphere and about December 21 to begin winter in the northern hemisphere

Did you know?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice usually occurs on June 20 or 21 and the winter solstice on December 21 or 22. In the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed, the solstices are exactly the opposite. For several days around the time of the solstices, the sun's appearance on the horizon at sunrise and sunset seems to occur at the same spot, before it starts drifting to the north or south again. Solstice gets its shine from sol, the Latin word for "sun." The ancients added sol to -stit- (a participial stem of sistere, which means "to stand still") and came up with solstitium. Middle English speakers shortened solstitium to solstice in the 14th century.

Examples of solstice in a Sentence

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The first day of astronomical winter is Saturday, Dec. 21, marked by the winter solstice, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. —

Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024 The first day of winter is the winter solstice, which has the fewest hours of daylight in the entire year. —

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 10 Nov. 2024 The shortest day of the year is the first day of winter, or the winter solstice. —

Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Nov. 2024 The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, while winter solstices mark the shortest. —

Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for solstice