polar bear

noun

: a large creamy-white carnivorous bear (Ursus maritimus synonym Thalarctos maritimus) that inhabits arctic regions

Illustration of polar bear

Illustration of polar bear

Examples of polar bear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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While transporting large mammals like whales, dolphins and polar bears by plane isn’t unheard of — SeaWorld has been doing it for decades, says Eric Otjen, vice president of zoological operations at the San Diego park. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Time, at 3 am, to watch a mother polar bear and her two cubs feeding beneath a sun that refuses to set. Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 This is good old Mother Earth, and the Inuit people have thrived here for a few thousand years, living cheek to jowl with muskox, polar bears, caribou, tundra grizzlies, red fox, Arctic fox and hordes of ducks and geese. Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026 Regulations also stipulate that no one may get closer than 300 meters (984 feet) from a polar bear between July and February. Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polar bear

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polar bear was in 1769

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Cite this Entry

“Polar bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polar%20bear. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

polar bear

noun
: a large creamy-white fish-eating bear that lives in arctic regions

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