solstice
noun
sol·stice
| \ ËsĂ€l-stÉs
, ËsĆl-, ËsÈŻl-\
, ËsĆl-, ËsÈŻl-\
Definition of solstice
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
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Examples of solstice in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Autumnal Equinox is different than the solstice, one of two days each year when the sunâs path is farthest from the equator. — Leada Gore | [email protected], al, "When is the first day of fall 2019? When does the time change?," 9 Sep. 2019 In ancient cultures, the winter solstice was heralded as the beginning of brighter days aheadâan indication that the sun god was regaining his strength. — Country Living, "The History of the Christmas Tree Goes Back Farther Than You Might Realize," 4 Sep. 2019 The heel stone of the formation lines up perfectly with the rising summer solstice sun. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Tune in to nature to sense seasonsâ subtle changes," 24 Aug. 2019 The summer solstice, on June 21, is supposed to be the day of the year with the longest stretch of sunlight. — New York Times, "Heat Wave NYC: Live Updates as Dangerous Temperatures Arrive," 20 July 2019 The horror flick follows a group of vacationers whose Swedish holiday takes a sinister turn when villagers invite them to join in traditional solstice festivities that grow increasingly disturbing and bizarre. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "'Spider-Man: Far From Home' swings to massive $185 million Fourth of July weekend," 7 July 2019 The annual summer solstice â when the northern pole on our ever-twirling planet achieves its maximum tilt toward the mighty sun â marks the arrival of the yearâs longest day and the yearâs shortest night. — Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, "Summer means a parade of long, sunny days, and itâs actually the worst," 24 June 2019 Friday is also the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year. — Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati weather: Dry day ahead for the first day of summer," 21 June 2019 Summer officially begins with the solstice at 11:54 a.m. Visit Susquehanna State Park or the North Park Trail to experience a little of William Shakespeare's midsummer madness. — Ron Browning, baltimoresun.com, "Havre de Grace: Plenty to do as summer officially begins," 21 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'solstice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for solstice
solstice
noun
English Language Learners Definition of solstice
: one of the two times during the year when the sun is farthest north or south of the equator
See the full definition for solstice in the English Language Learners Dictionary
solstice
noun
sol·stice
| \ ËsĂ€l-stÉs
, ËsĆl-, ËsÈŻl-\
, ËsĆl-, ËsÈŻl-\
Kids Definition of solstice
: the time of the year when the sun passes overhead the farthest north (
summer solstice
, about June 22) or south (
winter solstice
, about December 22) of the equator
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