circumpolar

adjective

cir·​cum·​po·​lar ˌsər-kəm-ˈpō-lər How to pronounce circumpolar (audio)
1
: continually visible above the horizon
a circumpolar star
2
: surrounding or found in the vicinity of a terrestrial pole
a circumpolar current
circumpolar species

Examples of circumpolar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Antarctic ice that does form can survive the summer and endure for years, but it is subjected to particularly harsh and dynamic factors, such as off-shore winds and strong circumpolar currents. IEEE Spectrum, 27 Jan. 2024 The widespread environmental changes are only expected to continue to affect circumpolar communities, which adds urgency to collaboration between engineers, permafrost scientists and Arctic residents. Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Aug. 2023 Permafrost thaw threatens hundreds of Arctic villages and cities, and could put up to 70 percent of circumpolar infrastructure at high risk by mid-century, his team writes, costing billions to repair roads, bolster structures, and ensure that trains don’t derail on warped tracks. Matt Simon, Wired, 18 Jan. 2022 The chances of favorable winds persistently occurring such that the circumpolar deep water no longer flows onto the shelf and melts the ice is small. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2014 See all Example Sentences for circumpolar 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'circumpolar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of circumpolar was in 1686

Dictionary Entries Near circumpolar

Cite this Entry

“Circumpolar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumpolar. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

circumpolar

adjective
cir·​cum·​po·​lar ˌsər-kəm-ˈpō-lər How to pronounce circumpolar (audio)
1
: continually visible above the horizon
a circumpolar star
2
: surrounding or found near a pole of the earth
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!