Definition of: solstice

(sol′stis) noun
1. Astron. The time of year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator, either north or south, and seems to pause before returning on its course; either the summer solstice, about June 22 in the northern hemisphere, or the winter solstice, about December 22.
2. A culminating or high point; epoch; limit. [<F <L solstitium <sol sun + sistere cause to stand]
—sol·sti·tial (sol·stish′əl) adjective