Antarctica

American  

[ant-ahrk-ti-kuh, -ahr-ti-] / æntˈɑrk tɪ kə, -ˈɑr tɪ- /

noun

1. the continent surrounding the South Pole: almost entirely covered by an ice sheet. About 5,000,000 sq. mi. (12,950,000 sq. km).

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Antarctica British  

/ æntˈɑːktɪkə /

noun

1. a continent around the South Pole: consists of an ice-covered plateau, 1800–3000 m (6000 ft to 10 000 ft) above sea level, and mountain ranges rising to 4500 m (15 000 ft) with some volcanic peaks; average temperatures all below freezing and human settlement is confined to research stations. All political claims to the mainland are suspended under the Antarctic Treaty of 1959

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Antarctica Cultural  

1. Continent surrounding the South Pole, located almost entirely within the Antarctic Circle. It is covered by an ice cap up to thirteen thousand feet thick.

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Antarctica is characterized by extremely low temperatures.

In 1911, Roald Amundsen became the first explorer to reach the South Pole, followed shortly thereafter by Robert Scott.

Example Sentences

New Zealand also said it would buy extra-long-range Airbus A321s, which will be able to fly a round trip to Antarctica without landing—a key capability if icy conditions make landing there impossible.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her background is particularly eclectic: an engineer by training, she is a seasoned explorer who has worked in extreme environments including Antarctica.

From Barron's

Rhinoceroses have a long evolutionary history spanning more than 40 million years, once inhabiting nearly every continent except South America and Antarctica.

From Science Daily

This research shows how combining geology and geophysics can uncover hidden features beneath Antarctica and deepen our understanding of the forces shaping the planet.

From Science Daily

Nearly all of the planet's land ice -- about 99 percent -- is stored in the polar ice sheets, mainly in Antarctica and the Arctic, especially Greenland, glaciologist Christian Vincent told AFP.

From Barron's