noun
solstice
SOL-stihs
Solstice (noun) means Either of the two days each year when the sun reaches its furthest point north or south of the equator, giving the longest or shortest day of the year. Example: “People gathered at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise on the summer solstice.”
noun
1
Either of the two days each year when the sun reaches its furthest point north or south of the equator, giving the longest or shortest day of the year.
"People gathered at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise on the summer solstice."
"The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere."
"The point at which the sun is nearest to the south pole we call the winter solstice, and the opposite point, the summer solstice."
— Capt Sp Meek, The Solar Magnet (2010)
How to use solstice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe day of the year with the most or the least daylight, marking the start of summer or winter astronomically.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
summer solstice
winter solstice
celebrate the solstice
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Word forms
- Plural
- solstices
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People gathered at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise on the summer _____.
Etymology
From Latin sōlstitium, from sōl ("sun") + sistere ("to stand still") — the point where the sun's path seems to pause.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for solstice
See all rhymes for solstice →Frequently asked questions
What does “solstice” mean?
The word “solstice” means either of the two days each year when the sun reaches its furthest point north or south of the equator, giving the longest or shortest day of the year. In plain terms, the day of the year with the most or the least daylight, marking the start of summer or winter astronomically.
How do you pronounce “solstice”?
“Solstice” is pronounced SOL-stihs (/ˈsɑl.stɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “solstice” in a sentence?
Here is “solstice” used in a sentence: “People gathered at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise on the summer solstice.”
What is the opposite of “solstice”?
The opposite of “solstice” — its antonyms — is equinox.
What part of speech is “solstice”?
“Solstice” is a noun.
Where does the word “solstice” come from?
The word “solstice” comes from Latin. From Latin sōlstitium, from sōl ("sun") + sistere ("to stand still") — the point where the sun's path seems to pause.
