polar

[poh-ler]

adjective

1. of or relating to the North or South Pole.

2. of or relating to the pole of any sphere, a magnet, an electric cell, etc.

3. opposite in character or action.

   The two have personalities that are polar.

4. capable of ionizing, as NaCl, HCl, or NaOH; electrolytic; heteropolar.

5. central; pivotal.

   the polar provision of the treaty.

6. analogous to the polestar as a guide; guiding.

   a polar precept.

polar

/ ˈpəʊlə /

adjective

1. situated at or near, coming from, or relating to either of the earth's poles or the area inside the Arctic or Antarctic Circles

   polar regions

2. having or relating to a pole or poles

3. pivotal or guiding in the manner of the Pole Star

4. directly opposite, as in tendency or character

5. chem

   1. Also: heteropolar. (of a molecule or compound) being or having a molecule in which there is an uneven distribution of electrons and thus a permanent dipole moment

      water has polar molecules

   2. (of a crystal or substance) being or having a crystal that is bound by ionic bonds

      sodium chloride forms polar crystals

polar

1. Relating to a pole, such as the pole of a magnet or one of the electrodes of an electrolytic cell.

2. Relating to the North Pole or the South Pole of Earth, or analogous regions of another planet.

3. Relating to a molecule or substance that has polar bonds.

Other Word Forms

• antipolar adjective
• transpolar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polar¹

From the Medieval Latin word polāris, dating back to 1545–55. See pole ², -ar ¹

Example Sentences

One of the most famous polar shipwrecks has been filmed in detail on the sea floor for the first time.

From BBC

It will land on the Moon's south polar region - one of the most inhospitable places on the lunar surface.

From BBC

After being given multiple chances to return those boxes to the National Archives, he did the polar opposite.

From Salon

After Orsa Predator Park in Sweden shut in 2022, some of their polar bears did not find new homes until the following year.

From BBC

It has been a challenging time for the San Diego Zoo, where three beloved animals — a polar bear, giraffe and gorilla — died within days of each other.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• freezing 
• frigid 
• glacial 
• icy