Antarctic

American  

[ant-ahrk-tik, -ahr-tik] / æntˈɑrk tɪk, -ˈɑr tɪk /

adjective

1. Sometimes antarctic of, at, or near the South Pole.

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noun

1. the Antarctic, the continent of Antarctica along with the Southern Ocean.

Antarctic British  

/ æntˈɑːktɪk /

noun

1. Antarctica and the surrounding waters

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adjective

1. of or relating to the south polar regions

Antarctic Cultural  

1. The region around the South Pole, Antarctica, and the surrounding ocean.

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Etymology

Origin of Antarctic

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin antarcticus, from Greek antarktikós; replacing Middle English antartik or directly from Middle French, from Medieval Latin antarticus; see ant-, Arctic

Example Sentences

The 1959 Antarctic Treaty froze existing territorial claims and prohibited the assertion of new claims “while the present Treaty is in force.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets have both lost considerable mass, and the annual average extent of Arctic sea ice in 2025 was the lowest or second-lowest ever recorded in the satellite era.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

Goodison-Blanks said there were collectors "worldwide" who enjoyed these sorts of pieces from expeditions relating to the Arctic, Antarctic and in particular Mount Everest.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

The scientists mapped the Antarctic gravity hole and reconstructed how it evolved over millions of years.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

The drivers were: James McIlroy and Alexander Macklin, the two doctors; Frank Hurley, the photographer; Frank Wild, Shackleton’s loyal second-in-command; Tom Crean, the Antarctic veteran; and George Marston, the expedition artist.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Related Words

• chilly
• freezing
• frosty
• frozen
• glacial
• ice-cold
• icy
• wintry