polar bear

American  

noun

1. a large white bear, Ursus maritimus, of the Arctic regions.

---

polar bear British  

noun

1. a white carnivorous bear, Thalarctos maritimus, of coastal regions of the North Pole

---

Etymology

Origin of polar bear

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Her social media feed piled up with video after video of polar bear rescues, such as fishermen or scientists hauling a freezing, struggling baby polar bear onto a ship.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

A mother polar bear and her three cubs pause after a long journey along the Hudson Bay coast.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

When Rana’s curiosity leads her far from home, she must call on her memory of her mother’s stories and, with the help of an obliging polar bear, find her own way back.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

In his office, where his mayor's chain is displayed alongside a polar bear femur, Terje Aunevik echoed that sentiment.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

“Yes. That’s where Twitch lives, and she is an excellent baker of muffins and other sweet goods. A polar bear such as myself likes eating tasty delicious things as often as I can.”

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