1
a
: of or relating to a geographic pole or the region around it
b
: coming from or having the characteristics of such a region
c(1)
: passing over a celestial body's north and south poles
a satellite in a polar orbit
(2)
: traveling in a polar orbit
a polar satellite
2
: of or relating to one or more poles (as of a magnet)
3
: serving as a guide
a polar principle
a polar theory
4
: diametrically opposite
polar positions on the issue
5
: exhibiting polarity
especially
: having a dipole or characterized by molecules having dipoles
a polar solvent
6
: resembling a pole or axis around which all else revolves : pivotal
polar events
7
: of, relating to, or expressed in polar coordinates
polar equations
also
: of or relating to a polar coordinate system
: a straight line related to a point
specifically
: the straight line joining the points of contact of the tangents from a point exterior to a conic section
Synonyms
Examples of polar in a Sentence
Adjective
They took polar positions on the issue.
She and I are good friends even though we're polar opposites.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Szondy, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2024
Auroras are ribbons of light weaving across Earth's northern or southern polar regions, according to NASA.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 11 Oct. 2024
Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2024
In fact, over the past several years, various CBT homestays have installed everything from solar polars to showers (rather than the traditional banya, which consists of a wood stove and a steam bath).
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polar 
Adjective
According to Axiom, the new suit is designed for both exploring the lunar south polar region and for EVAs in space.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2024
Auroras are ribbons of light weaving across Earth's northern or southern polar regions, according to NASA.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
Relative polar opposites Zach Bryan and Morgan Wallen are both selling out stadiums (though both artists are, true to country’s favorite common ground, white men).
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2024
In fact, over the past several years, various CBT homestays have installed everything from solar polars to showers (rather than the traditional banya, which consists of a wood stove and a steam bath).
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polar
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near polar
Cite this Entry
“Polar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polar. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
polar
adjective
po·lar
ˈpō-lər 
1
: of or relating to one or more poles (as of a spherical body)
2
: exhibiting polarity
especially
: having a dipole or characterized by molecules having dipoles
a polar solvent
3
: being at opposite ends of a spectrum of symptoms or manifestations
polar types of leprosy
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