polar
Americanadjective
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of or relating to the North or South Pole.
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of or relating to the pole of any sphere, a magnet, an electric cell, etc.
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opposite in character or action.
The two have personalities that are polar.
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capable of ionizing, as NaCl, HCl, or NaOH; electrolytic; heteropolar.
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central; pivotal.
the polar provision of the treaty.
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analogous to the polestar as a guide; guiding.
a polar precept.
adjective
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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
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having or relating to a pole or poles
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pivotal or guiding in the manner of the Pole Star
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directly opposite, as in tendency or character
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chem
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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
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(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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Relating to a pole, such as the pole of a magnet or one of the electrodes of an electrolytic cell.
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Relating to the North Pole or the South Pole of Earth, or analogous regions of another planet.
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Relating to a molecule or substance that has polar bonds.
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing polar
Opposites Attract
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Wintry Words
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Blizzard! Words to Learn on a Snow Day
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Of course, there was much more to him than these polar roles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
Their rarity and longevity make them especially valuable to researchers studying glacier retreat, changing ocean conditions and the risks posed by drifting ice in polar regions.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
At 4am, a female polar bear approached and peered down.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
The book also reveals the depths of the scientists’ emotions about their mission and its consequences, and their awe at the magnificent polar landscape.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
It brought floating ice down from the Bering Sea, and the polar ice pounded against the ice along the shore.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
