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
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 Nikel, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Rashford’s movement away from the ball and in wider positions is the polar opposite to alternatives in the position, such as Ramsey.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Amandeep Midha, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for polar
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Adjective
The new livery, said to be inspired by marine wildlife and polar landscapes, ensures HX stands apart from Hurtigruten Norway while still honoring its heritage brand.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Rashford’s movement away from the ball and in wider positions is the polar opposite to alternatives in the position, such as Ramsey.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
Rust lacks a robust equivalent to Python’s pandas, forcing developers to rely on polars, which are still evolving.
—Amandeep Midha, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for polar
Cite this Entry
“Polar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polar. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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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