solstice

noun

sol·​stice ˈsäl-stəs 

ˈsōl-,

ˈsȯl-

1

: 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

2

: 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

Recent Examples on the Web

Stonehenge does, with its central axis aligned with the spot where the sun rises on the summer solstice. —Dan Falk, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024

The opposite happens on Dec. 21 or 22 with the winter solstice. —Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024

Daylight hours will start to increase, and as the year reaches the summer solstice, Ramadan will have 15-16 fasting hours. —The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024

Every year, the holiday, also known as the Spring Festival, begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice. —TIME, 10 Feb. 2024

Groundhog Day's origins lie in an ancient European celebration of Candlemas, a point midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox – the exact midpoint of astronomical winter. —USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2024

After that, the days will become shorter until the winter solstice on Dec. 21 or 22, when there’s the least daylight of the year. —Carlie Procell, The Courier-Journal, 25 Jan. 2024

Their most crucial food source, salmon in the River Dee, would arrive each year two moons after this solstice sunrise. —Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2024

The true solstice will arrive in the Northern Hemisphere at exactly 4:51 p.m. EST. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin solstitium, from sol sun + -stit-, -stes standing; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at solar, stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

solstice

noun

sol·​stice ˈsäl-stəs 

ˈsōl-,

ˈsȯl-

1

: the point in the apparent path of the sun at which the sun is farthest north or south of the equator

2

: the time of the sun's passing a solstice which occurs on June 22nd and on December 22nd