polar circle

American  

noun

1. either the Arctic or the Antarctic Circle.

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polar circle British  

noun

1. a term for either the Arctic Circle Antarctic Circle

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polar circle Scientific  

1. The Arctic Circle or the Antarctic Circle.

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Etymology

Origin of polar circle

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

“We basically achieved everything we set out to do,” the expedition’s leader, Markus Rex, told The Associated Press by satellite phone as it left the polar circle last week.

From Washington Times • Oct. 12, 2020

The musk-ox had retreated to the polar circle.

From Ancient Man The Beginning of Civilizations by Van Loon, Hendrik Willem

The attraction-spheres are near one side of the ovum, and are connected with its periphery by a cone of fibres forming a polar circle, p.c.; e.c., equatorial circle.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John

However, the greatest part of this southern continent, if it actually exists, must lie within the polar circle, where the sea is so encumbered with ice, that the land is rendered inaccessible.

From Narrative of the Voyages Round the World, Performed by Captain James Cook : with an Account of His Life During the Previous and Intervening Periods by Kippis, Andrew

When the French government sent Maupertuis within the polar circle, to ascertain the exact figure of the earth, it was George Graham, Clock-maker of Fleet Street, who supplied the requisite instruments.

From Captains of Industry or, Men of Business Who Did Something Besides Making Money by Parton, James