Arctic

[ahrk-tik, ahr-tik]

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.

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

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Arctic

   arctic temperatures

2. informal,  cold; freezing

   the weather at Christmas was arctic

noun

1. a high waterproof overshoe with buckles

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

   arctic clothing

Arctic

²

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

noun

1. the regions north of the Arctic Circle

adjective

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

Arctic

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of arctic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of arctic¹

C14: from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikos northern, literally: pertaining to (the constellation of) the Bear, from arktos bear

Example Sentences

It will buy two new Arctic ships, maritime patrol planes, drones and early warning radar.

Read more on BBC

A collection of stories from the annals of the Explorers Club puts harrowing Arctic exploits side by side with less demanding journeys.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic is a common interest for the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States,” said Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The best story in “Letters” is the first, in which Ada Blackjack, a young Inupiat woman, is the sole survivor of an ill-fated Arctic expedition begun in 1921.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Arctic seals and birds are coming under increasing threat, mainly due to climate change and human activity, according to an updated list of endangered species released Friday by the world's top conservation body.

Read more on Barron's