Arctic

American  

[ahrk-tik, ahr-tik] / ˈɑrk tɪk, ˈɑr tɪk /

adjective

1. Sometimes arctic of, relating to, or located at or near the North Pole.

   the Arctic region.

2. Sometimes arctic coming from the North Pole or the Arctic region.

   an Arctic wind.

3. Often arctic suitable for use in the Arctic.

   Arctic boots.

4. Usually arctic characteristic of the extremely cold, snowy, windy weather north of the Arctic Circle; frigid; bleak.

   an arctic winter.

5. arctic, extremely cold in manner, atmosphere, etc..

   a look of arctic disdain.

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noun

1. the Arctic, the region lying north of the Arctic Circle or of the northernmost limit of tree growth; the polar area north of the timberline.

2. arctics, warm, waterproof overshoes.

Arctic ¹ British  

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

noun

1. the regions north of the Arctic Circle

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adjective

1. of or relating to the regions north of the Arctic Circle

arctic ² British  

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Arctic

   arctic temperatures

2. informal cold; freezing

   the weather at Christmas was arctic

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noun

1. a high waterproof overshoe with buckles

2. (modifier) designed or suitable for conditions of extreme cold

   arctic clothing

Arctic Cultural  

1. Region in the northernmost area of the Earth, centered on the North Pole.

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Discover More

The weather of the Arctic is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers.

The Arctic has been the object of much exploration by air, land, and sea. The shortest distance by plane between continents in the Northern Hemisphere is often over the Arctic.

Other Word Forms

• arctically adverb
• subarctic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Arctic

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikós “northern,” literally, “of the Bear,” equivalent to árkt(os), “bear” ( Ursa Major ) + -ikos -ic; replacing Middle English artik, from Middle French artique, from Latin

Example Sentences

Don’t miss the Tropical Rainforest Aviary for free-flight birds or the Arctic Passage, where you can watch polar bears and seals swim underwater.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Are you catching the August eclipse from an expedition cruise in the Arctic?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Previously, it regularly reached waters about 20 meters deep, a feature that set it apart from other Arctic regions where landfast ice had already retreated.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

Arctic sea ice reached its lowest level ever recorded, statistically tying last year's record, a leading US climate observatory for this geopolitically significant region said on Thursday.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

North American Review dedicated thirty-five pages of a single issue to Dr. Kane’s chances of survival in the Arctic.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock