winter solstice

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. the solstice on or about December 21st that marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

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winter solstice British  

noun

1. the time at which the sun is at its southernmost point in the sky (northernmost point in the S hemisphere) appearing at noon at its lowest altitude above the horizon. It occurs about December 22 (June 21 in the S hemisphere)

2. astronomy the point on the celestial sphere, opposite the summer solstice , at which the ecliptic is furthest south from the celestial equator. Right ascension: 18 hours; declination: –23.5°

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winter solstice Scientific  

/ wĭn′tər /

1. See under solstice

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Usage

What and when is the winter solstice? The winter solstice is the moment in the year when Earth is tilted as far away from the sun as it will be all year. The winter solstice results in the shortest day of the year, meaning it has the longest period of darkness.The summer solstice is the moment in the year when Earth is tilted as close to the sun as it will be all year. The summer solstice results in the longest day of the year, meaning it has the most time of daylight.One solstice occurs around June 20–22 (usually June 20 or 21) and one occurs around December 20–23 (usually December 21 or 22).The solstices are traditionally considered to mark the start of summer and winter. But which season begins with each solstice depends on which hemisphere you’re in. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs in June and the winter solstice occurs in December. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite.In contrast, an equinox is one of the two times of the year when the amount of daylight and nighttime hours are just about of equal length. The two equinoxes occur around March 20–21 and September 22–23. In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox (or spring equinox) occurs in March and the autumnal equinox occurs in September. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite.Example: Many ancient cultures marked the winter solstice with festivals, some of which continue to be observed today.

Etymology

Origin of winter solstice

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

After the winter solstice this past weekend, every day brings a little more sunlight.

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

Stonehenge at night with starry sky on winter solstice.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

December’s event is called the Cold Moon because it rises amid longer, chillier nights approaching the winter solstice, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

And so by this criteria, the winter solstice is the first day of winter.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025

He wasn’t welcomed in Olympus except on the winter solstice, so he’d built his own Olympus underground.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan