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
Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024
Prior to the Endurance voyage, Shackleton had established himself as a polar explorer after a career in the merchant navy.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 10 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 
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Adjective
Ernest Shackleton fascinates the English-speaking world like no other polar explorer, perhaps no other explorer period, and he’s inspired many books, several feature films and documentaries and countless leadership seminars.
—Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024
Prior to the Endurance voyage, Shackleton had established himself as a polar explorer after a career in the merchant navy.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 10 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
Dictionary Entries Near polar
Cite this Entry
“Polar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polar. Accessed 8 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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