summer solstice

noun

, Astronomy.

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

summer solstice

noun

1. the time at which the sun is at its northernmost point in the sky (southernmost point in the S hemisphere), appearing at noon at its highest altitude above the horizon. It occurs about June 21 (December 22 in the S hemisphere)
2. astronomy the point on the celestial sphere, opposite the winter solstice, at which the ecliptic is furthest north from the celestial equator. Right ascension: 6 hours; declination: 23.5°

summer solstice

/ sŭm′ər /

1. See under solstice

Word History and Origins

Origin of summer solstice¹

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

It is composed of sarsens and bluestones, all of them aligned towards the sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice.

From Salon

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, meaning the day of the year that has the most hours of sunlight.

From BBC

On Thursday, everyone in the northern half of our planet will experience the summer solstice.

From New York Times

Manhattanhenge does not take place on the summer solstice itself, which is June 20 this year.

From Seattle Times

A new study published in Nature Plants has found that the summer solstice acts as a "starting gun" to synchronise beech tree reproduction across vast distances in Europe, affecting ecosystem functions.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• summertime
• vacation