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 of polar

Adjective

• contradictory
• opposite
• contrary

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

And Martha Stewart is just like me, for real—the most inexpensive product in her skin care routine is a $10 Mario Badescu body lotion, and on the very polar opposite end, the most expensive is a $2,695 laser device. —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 23 May 2026

All of this is taking place in polar orbit at an altitude of approximately 340 miles (547 kilometers). —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026

Noun

In a video, SpaceX announced that cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, who financed a private polar spaceflight with SpaceX on a Dragon capsule called Fram2 in 2025, will lead a flyby around Mars sometime in the future. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 22 May 2026

The polar bogey the commander spotted that day was Santa Claus. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 May 2026

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
• polar vortex

Rhymes for polar

• bowler
• dolor
• molar
• roller
• solar
• soler
• stroller
• troller
• volar
• ambipolar
• areolar
• bronchiolar

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