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°
winter solstice in American English
see solstice
Examples of 'winter solstice' in a sentence
winter solstice
Part of the embankment was aligned with the rising sun on the winter solstice, although it is not clear whether this was significant.