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Glite Dictionary
March equinox

March equinox

5.3
The time around March 20 when day and night are nearly equal and spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere
  • noun
  • /mɑrtʃ ˈiːkwɪnɒks/
translation icon : equinoccio de marzo
  • Many ancient cultures celebrated the March equinox with festivals and rituals.

Examples

  • During the March equinox, the length of day and night are nearly equal.

  • The March equinox marks the start of spring in many countries.

  • The March equinox marks the first day of spring in many parts of the world.

  • Many cultures celebrate the March equinox with festivals.

  • The March equinox marks the time when day and night are almost equal in length.

  • Celebrations of the March equinox often include planting seeds in preparation for spring.

  • Many cultures have festivals to celebrate the March equinox as the start of new growth.

Synonyms

spring equinox
vsMarch equinox
1 4.3

A time in early spring when day and night are about the same length, around March 21 in the north

is tied to that date but applies to both hemispheres with opposite seasons
vernal equinox
vsMarch equinox
1 7.3

The March day when day and night are nearly equal and spring begins in the north

includes that but also marks the opposite season in the south

Surface Forms

March equinox singular
March equinoxes plural

Morphology

March + equinox

The meaning 'the equinox that occurs in March' is directly derivable from combining 'March' (the month) with 'equinox' (the event of equal day and night). This straightforward noun-noun composition is cross-linguistically common and follows a transparent naming pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand it.

Etymology

March equinox is a name made from March and equinox, a word that means 'equal night', because around March 20 or 21 day and night are nearly the same length. That's why the March equinox marks the 'start of spring' in the north and the 'start of autumn' in the south.