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

A treasure trove of fossils that includes dinosaur bones, bird feathers and the first presence of feathered dinosaurs beyond the southern polar circle has been discovered in Australia.

From Fox News

“As soon as you get above the polar circle, you can see the aurora very likely,” explained Trond Trondsen, an aurora expert in Calgary.

From New York Times

"The optimal locations for this type of power production are areas where the sun doesn’t always shine, but winds will blow, such as latitudes poleward of the polar circles," the researchers wrote.

From Scientific American

If near the equator an instrument gives the latitude of the polar circle, it is a proof that it is not working rightly.

From Project Gutenberg