polar

1 of 2

adjective

po·​lar ˈpō-lər 

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

polar

2 of 2

noun

: 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

Adjective

• antipodal
• antipodean
• antithetical
• contradictory
• contrary
• diametric
• diametrical
• opposite

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

Adjective

Spain was affected by what's known as Isolated Depression at High Levels (DANA in Spanish), which the World Meteorological Organization notes in a blog post often occurs during the fall as the remaining warm surface heat from summer meets cold air from the polar regions. —Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024

While community is a positive force, tribalism is its polar negative opposite. —Dan Berger, Forbes, 1 Nov. 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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin polaris, from Latin polus pole

First Known Use

Adjective

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polar

• polar bear
• polar body
• polar circle
• polar coordinate
• polar front
• polar nucleus

Kids Definition

polar

adjective

po·​lar

ˈpō-lər

1

a

: of or relating to a geographical pole or the region around it

b

: coming from or having the characteristics of a polar region

polar cold

2

: of or relating to one or more poles (as of a magnet)

3

: diametrically opposite

4

: showing polarity

water molecules are polar

Medical 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