polar bear

American  

noun

1. a large white bear, Ursus maritimus, of the Arctic regions.

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polar bear British  

noun

1. a white carnivorous bear, Thalarctos maritimus, of coastal regions of the North Pole

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Etymology

Origin of polar bear

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Polar bear attacks on humans are extremely rare, but this is at least the second recorded fatality from a polar bear attack since 2023.

From BBC • Aug. 13, 2024

Polar bear populations can be very susceptible to drastic year-to-year changes in conditions, he said.

From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2020

Polar bear cubs are actually born deaf and blind; their eyes and auditory canals don't open until about 30 days after birth.

From Fox News • Jan. 9, 2019

Polar bear milk contains up to 46 percent fat and tastes like the chalky cream of a fishy cow.

From Slate • Feb. 15, 2013

An old authority describes the pace of a Polar bear as equal to that of the sharp gallop of a horse.

From In Touch with Nature Tales and Sketches from the Life by Stables, Gordon