polar bear

noun

: a large creamy-white carnivorous bear (Ursus maritimus synonym Thalarctos maritimus) that inhabits arctic regions

Illustration of polar bear

Illustration of polar bear

Examples of polar bear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web An aerial view of the partially melting glaciers as a polar bear, one of the species most affected by climate change, walks on a glacier in Svalbard and Jan Mayen, on July 15, 2023. Simrin Singh, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 And for those whose passion for animals extends beyond just horses, the Louisville Zoo is home to over 1,100 different animals, with African lions, polar bears, and orangutans serving as some of its most majestic megafauna. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 David Attenborough narrates this visual journey through the Arctic and the Antarctic with intimate looks at exotic species, including Adelie penguins, Arctic wolves, albatrosses, and polar bears. Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2024 The snow sculpture at North 81st and West Wright streets has drawn attention from neighbors and people on social media, including a photo of the polar bear posted Jan. 13 on the Tosa Rocks Facebook page that has received more than 580 likes. Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2024 After weeks of nonstop questions, speculation, and polar bear theories, True Detective: Night Country finally provided answers in its devastating season finale. Shania Russell, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2024 Size is also a good indicator; polar bear tracks are absolutely massive. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 7 Feb. 2024 This dreamy image of a polar bear drifting to sleep on a bed carved into an iceberg is the winner of the 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award. Naomi Schanen, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2024 It was found for the first time last fall in a polar bear. Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polar bear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polar bear was in 1769

Dictionary Entries Near polar bear

Cite this Entry

“Polar bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polar%20bear. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

polar bear

noun
: a large creamy-white fish-eating bear that lives in arctic regions

More from Merriam-Webster on polar bear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!