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
: 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
Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
As the planet's temperature warms, glaciers and polar caps are melting, releasing freshwater into the ocean.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Intermediate polars earned their name due to variations in the strength of white dwarfs' magnetic fields.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polar
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Adjective
The 16th annual Shamrock Splash, a polar plunge from East Boston’s Constitution Beach put on by Save the Harbor, Save the Bay, raised money for the Better Beaches Grant Program to plan free summer events and programs across beaches from Nahant to Nantasket.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
As the planet's temperature warms, glaciers and polar caps are melting, releasing freshwater into the ocean.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
The polar pattern is a uniform cardioid polar for predictable placement.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Intermediate polars earned their name due to variations in the strength of white dwarfs' magnetic fields.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polar
Cite this Entry
“Polar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polar. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
polar
adjective
po·lar
ˈpō-lər 
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
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