Illustration of polar bear
polar bear
noun
: a large creamy-white carnivorous bear (Ursus maritimus synonym Thalarctos maritimus) that inhabits arctic regions
Examples of polar bear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Another expert believes the study shows a correlation between emissions and polar bear cub survival, but not a direct cause and effect.
—
Tammy Webber, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2023
The polar bears were wonderful, ducking each other in the water by getting hold of each other’s ears, jumping in and pulling down.
—Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023
The polar bear initiative in particular was one of the last areas of cooperation between Russia and the United States, even as relations deteriorated in virtually every other area.
—Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 22 June 2023
Read More: Conserving Predators of the Plant Kingdom Where Are Humans on the Food Chain?
Humans are not in the same category as fierce hunters like orcas and polar bears.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2023
White or pale yellow creatures—like the polar bear, southern marsupial mole and albino wallaby—glowed the most.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023
This is not recommended behavior in front of, say, a grizzly or polar bear.
—Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023
The lands are designated as special areas and provide important habitat for grizzly and polar bears, caribou and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, the agency said.
—Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Sep. 2023
Why one polar bear cub can show global warming's impact Charles and his team found the polar bear family at the end of a nearly fruitless three-week search in the Arctic Ocean island chain of Svalbard.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 15 June 2023
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Tammy Webber, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2023
The polar bears were wonderful, ducking each other in the water by getting hold of each other’s ears, jumping in and pulling down.
—Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023
The polar bear initiative in particular was one of the last areas of cooperation between Russia and the United States, even as relations deteriorated in virtually every other area.
—Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 22 June 2023
Read More: Conserving Predators of the Plant Kingdom Where Are Humans on the Food Chain?
Humans are not in the same category as fierce hunters like orcas and polar bears.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2023
White or pale yellow creatures—like the polar bear, southern marsupial mole and albino wallaby—glowed the most.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023
This is not recommended behavior in front of, say, a grizzly or polar bear.
—Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023
The lands are designated as special areas and provide important habitat for grizzly and polar bears, caribou and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, the agency said.
—Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Sep. 2023
Why one polar bear cub can show global warming's impact Charles and his team found the polar bear family at the end of a nearly fruitless three-week search in the Arctic Ocean island chain of Svalbard.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 15 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polar bear.' 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
1769, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near polar bear
Cite this Entry
“Polar bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polar%20bear. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
polar bear
noun
: a large creamy-white fish-eating bear that lives in arctic regions
More from Merriam-Webster on polar bear
Nglish: Translation of polar bear for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polar bear
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