Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
solstice
noun
/ˈsɒl.stɪs/
Definition
The solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice a year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, which results in the longest and shortest days of the year.
Examples
- The summer solstice occurs around June 21st and is the longest day of the year.
- The winter solstice happens around December 21st and is the shortest day of the year.
- Many ancient cultures celebrated festivals during the solstices to mark the change of seasons.
Meaning
The term solstice comes from the Latin ‘solstitium’, which means ‘sun standing still’. It marks the changing of seasons and is significant in many cultures and traditions.
Synonyms
- sun standing still
- seasonal change
