polar

1 of 2

adjective

po·​lar ˈpō-lər How to pronounce polar (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to a geographic pole or the region around it
b
: coming from or having the characteristics of such a region
c(1)
: passing over a celestial body's north and south poles
a satellite in a polar orbit
(2)
: traveling in a polar orbit
a polar satellite
2
: of or relating to one or more poles (as of a magnet)
3
: serving as a guide
a polar principle
a polar theory
4
: diametrically opposite
polar positions on the issue
5
: exhibiting polarity
especially : having a dipole or characterized by molecules having dipoles
a polar solvent
6
: resembling a pole or axis around which all else revolves : pivotal
polar events
7
: of, relating to, or expressed in polar coordinates
polar equations
also : of or relating to a polar coordinate system

polar

2 of 2

noun

: a straight line related to a point
specifically : the straight line joining the points of contact of the tangents from a point exterior to a conic section

Examples of polar in a Sentence

Adjective They took polar positions on the issue. She and I are good friends even though we're polar opposites.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
At Green Angels Landscaping, visitors can stop by on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for a drive-thru display of lights and decor complete with large nutcrackers, a tunnel of lights for children to run through, a polar train village and a town of holiday bears. Kiersten Hacker, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024 Other fleecy finds that are endlessly packable include a faux shearling Columbia jacket for $55 and a polar fleece shacket for creating casual-chic looks that’ll keep you warm all for only $30. Brittany Vanderbill, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2024
Noun
Relative polar opposites Zach Bryan and Morgan Wallen are both selling out stadiums (though both artists are, true to country’s favorite common ground, white men). Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2024 In fact, over the past several years, various CBT homestays have installed everything from solar polars to showers (rather than the traditional banya, which consists of a wood stove and a steam bath). Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for polar 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin polaris, from Latin polus pole

First Known Use

Adjective

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polar was in 1556

Dictionary Entries Near polar

Cite this Entry

“Polar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polar. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

polar

adjective
po·​lar
ˈpō-lər
1
a
: of or relating to a geographical pole or the region around it
b
: coming from or having the characteristics of a polar region
polar cold
2
: of or relating to one or more poles (as of a magnet)
3
: diametrically opposite
4
: showing polarity
water molecules are polar

Medical Definition

polar

adjective
po·​lar ˈpō-lər How to pronounce polar (audio)
1
: of or relating to one or more poles (as of a spherical body)
2
: exhibiting polarity
especially : having a dipole or characterized by molecules having dipoles
a polar solvent
3
: being at opposite ends of a spectrum of symptoms or manifestations
polar types of leprosy

More from Merriam-Webster on polar

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