circumpolar

[ sur-kuhm-poh-ler ]

adjective

1. around or near a pole, as of the earth.

circumpolar

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈpəʊlə /

adjective

1. (of a star or constellation) visible above the horizon at all times at a specified locality on the earth's surface
2. surrounding or located at or near either of the earth's poles

circumpolar

/ sûr′kəm-pō′lər /

1. Located or found in one of Earth's polar regions.
2. Denoting a star that from a given observer's latitude does not go below the horizon during its diurnal motion. The closer an observer is to one of the poles, the greater the portion of the sky that contains circumpolar stars. At the pole itself, all stars are circumpolar.

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumpolar¹

First recorded in 1680–90; circum- + polar

Example Sentences

In order to survive 120 days of continuous darkness and an average temperature of 43 degrees Fahrenheit, the circumpolar creatures were most likely warm-blooded.

From Popular-Science

As forbidding as this terrain is, there is another force at work on the ocean surface – the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

From The Daily Beast

Bones of the musk-ox found in the frozen soil of Siberia indicate that it formerly had a circumpolar distribution.

From Project Gutenberg

Very rare migrant; but two records; breeding habitat, circumpolar regions.

From Project Gutenberg

This is done most effectually by observing the vertical movement of a close circumpolar star when at its greatest azimuth.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1817 he joined the corvette “Uranie” as pharmaceutical botanist to the circumpolar expedition commanded by D. de Freycinet.

From Project Gutenberg

When are the circumpolar constellations visible in northern latitudes?

From Project Gutenberg