vernal equinox

[ vur-nl ee-kwuh-noks, ek-wuh-noks ]

noun

1. equinox1
2. Also called ver·nal point. the position of the sun at the time of the vernal equinox.

vernal equinox

noun

1. the time at which the sun crosses the plane of the equator towards the relevant hemisphere, making day and night of equal length. It occurs about March 21 in the N hemisphere (Sept 23 in the S hemisphere)
2. 1. astronomy the point, lying in the constellation Pisces, at which the sun's ecliptic intersects the celestial equator
   2. the time at which this occurs as the sun travels south to north (March 21)

vernal equinox

/ vûr′nəl /

1. See under equinox

Word History and Origins

Origin of vernal equinox¹

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

The odds also tend to increase around equinoxes — the vernal equinox occurred last week — due to a more favorable tilt in the Earth’s axis, Murtagh said.

From Los Angeles Times

In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox will officially take place this Tuesday, March 19, at 11:06 p.m.

From New York Times

Pretty much aligned with the vernal equinox, give or take a few days, St. Patrick’s Day lands just right on the calendar for a celebration.

From Salon

Then, in March, nature will once again bring us the vernal equinox, the time of year that ushers in spring in the North.

From National Geographic

For some, spring cleaning takes place around the time of the vernal equinox, which this year fell on March 20.

From New York Times