polar

American  

[poh-ler] / ˈpoʊ lər /

adjective

1. of or relating to the North or South Pole.

2. of or relating to the pole of any sphere, a magnet, an electric cell, etc.

3. opposite in character or action.

   The two have personalities that are polar.

4. capable of ionizing, as NaCl, HCl, or NaOH; electrolytic; heteropolar.

5. central; pivotal.

   the polar provision of the treaty.

6. analogous to the polestar as a guide; guiding.

   a polar precept.

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polar British  

/ ˈpəʊlə /

adjective

1. situated at or near, coming from, or relating to either of the earth's poles or the area inside the Arctic or Antarctic Circles

   polar regions

2. having or relating to a pole or poles

3. pivotal or guiding in the manner of the Pole Star

4. directly opposite, as in tendency or character

5. chem

   1. Also: heteropolar.  (of a molecule or compound) being or having a molecule in which there is an uneven distribution of electrons and thus a permanent dipole moment

      water has polar molecules

   2. (of a crystal or substance) being or having a crystal that is bound by ionic bonds

      sodium chloride forms polar crystals

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polar Scientific  

/ pō′lər /

1. Relating to a pole, such as the pole of a magnet or one of the electrodes of an electrolytic cell.

2. Relating to the North Pole or the South Pole of Earth, or analogous regions of another planet.

3. Relating to a molecule or substance that has polar bonds.

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Other Word Forms

• antipolar
  adjective
• transpolar
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of polar

From the Medieval Latin word polāris, dating back to 1545–55. See pole ², -ar ¹

Explanation

The idea of polar suggests equal opposites. For example, the North and South Poles are at opposite ends of the planet, and both are equally glacial, or very cold, which, by the way, is another meaning of polar. The English word polar derives from the Latin polus and the Greek polos, which means "axis." (See the connection with the North and South Poles?) The discovery of polar bears was first recorded in the mid-18th century, while the idea of "polar opposites" came about in 1832. The adjective polar is also used to describe something vitally important, an idea that came from the importance of Polaris, the North Star, which has always been a voyager’s guide.

Example Sentences

The RF’s sensitive steering, short wheelbase, and low polar moment give the car a deep inclination to turn where you point it.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

"India's interest in the Arctic is not merely academic, the melting of polar ice has direct consequences for the Indian monsoon and our food security," Tharoor added.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

But the mix of both energies of these authentic polar opposites worked well together to keep the crowd laughing.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

It showed penguins, fur seals and polar bears attempting to adapt to their ever-changing surroundings, against the backdrop of glaciers and arctic volcanoes.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

The deep-thinking owl stared at the polar bear for a good long time, unable to come up with a countering argument, so she changed the subject instead.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Related Words

• freezing
• frigid
• glacial
• icy