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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
Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024
What's the difference between an equinox and a solstice?
—USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024
According to the website, after 100 years without leap years, the calendar would be off by 24 days, shifting the times of the equinoxes and solstices.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 29 Feb. 2024
Marking the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, the annual celebration falls on Feb. 1.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 26 Jan. 2024
Each day for the next three months, the sun will get higher in the sky – and the daily amount of daylight longer – until the summer solstice in June.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Daylight will continue to increase until the summer solstice in June.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 16 Mar. 2024
The astronomical change of seasons is marked by solstices or equinoxes.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 14 Mar. 2024
Centuries ago, people kept track of the sun's position — such as for a solstice or the longest day of the year — to know when to do things like plant and harvest.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solstice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Solstice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solstice. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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solstice
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on solstice
Nglish: Translation of solstice for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of solstice for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about solstice
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