adj.
Pronunciation: ' p ō -l ə r
Function: adjective
Etymology: New Latin polaris, from Latin polus pole
Date: 1551
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