antarctic

adjective

ant·​arc·​tic (ˌ)ant-ˈärk-tik  -ˈär-tik 

variants often Antarctic

: of or relating to the South Pole or to the region near it

Examples of antarctic in a Sentence

The group is involved in Antarctic exploration.

Recent Examples on the Web

Emperor penguins and the Antarctic fur seal were moved to the endangered species list by the international organization that tracks extinction risk to plants and animals globally. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

Research from Robinson at the University of Wollongong indicates that emperor penguins may be among the most threatened Antarctic species. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026

The fur seals, in contrast, are the smallest of the Antarctic seal species and live primarily on sub-Antarctic islands. —Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026

Emperor penguins mainly consume fish, squid and crustaceans in Antarctic waters. —ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English antartik, from Latin antarcticus, from Greek antarktikos, from anti- + arktikos arctic

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing antarctic

• antarctic circle

Rhymes for antarctic

• holarctic
• subarctic
• arctic
• palaearctic
• palearctic
• subantarctic

Kids Definition

antarctic

adjective

ant·​arc·​tic (ˈ)ant-ˈärk-tik  -ˈärt-ik 

often capitalized

: of or relating to the South Pole or to the region near it