solstice

/ˈsoʊlstɪs/

/ˈsɒlstɪs/

Other forms: solstices

The longest and shortest days of the year — the days when the sun is furthest from the equator — are each called a solstice.

If you are on the part of the earth that is pointed towards the sun on the solstice, you are probably enjoying the longest day of summer. If you're pointed away, it is the shortest day of winter. Some people who do not believe in organized religion but like the idea of bringing lights inside and brightening a dark season celebrate the winter solstice, which falls a few days before Christmas.

Definitions of solstice

1. noun

   either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator
   types:

   June 21, midsummer, summer solstice

   June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point

   winter solstice

   December 22, when the sun is at its southernmost point

   type of:

   cosmic time

   the time covered by the physical formation and development of the universe