Arctic

[ ahrk-tik ahr-tik ]

adjective

1. Sometimes arc·tic. of, relating to, or located at or near the North Pole:

   the Arctic region.

2. Sometimes arc·tic. coming from the North Pole or the Arctic region:

   an Arctic wind.

3. Often arc·tic. suitable for use in the Arctic:

   Arctic boots.

4. Usually arc·tic. characteristic of the extremely cold, snowy, windy weather north of the Arctic Circle; frigid; bleak:

   an arctic winter.

5. arctic, extremely cold in manner, atmosphere, etc.:

   a look of arctic disdain.

noun

1. the Arc·tic, the region lying north of the Arctic Circle or of the northernmost limit of tree growth; the polar area north of the timberline.
2. arc·tics, warm, waterproof overshoes.

arctic

¹

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Arctic

   arctic temperatures

2. informal.
   cold; freezing

   the weather at Christmas was arctic

noun

1. a high waterproof overshoe with buckles
2. modifier designed or suitable for conditions of extreme cold

   arctic clothing

Arctic

²

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

noun

1. the Arctic or Arctic Zone
   the regions north of the Arctic Circle

adjective

1. of or relating to the regions north of the Arctic Circle

Arctic

1. Region in the northernmost area of the Earth , centered on the North Pole .

Notes

The weather of the Arctic is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers.

The Arctic has been the object of much exploration by air, land, and sea. The shortest distance by plane between continents in the Northern Hemisphere is often over the Arctic.

Other Words From

• arc·ti·cal·ly adverb
• sub·arc·tic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arctic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikós “northern,” literally, “of the Bear,” equivalent to árkt(os), “bear” ( Ursa Major ) + -ikos -ic; replacing Middle English artik, from Middle French artique, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arctic¹

C14: from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikos northern, literally: pertaining to (the constellation of) the Bear, from arktos bear

Example Sentences

As the Arctic warms at a faster rate than the rest of the planet, Earth’s overall surface becomes less reflective and thereby increases the absorption of solar radiation.

From Salon

The president-elect has pledged to open areas such as the Arctic wilderness to oil drilling, which he argues would lower energy costs.

From BBC

We'll feel the first taste of winter weather over the coming days as chilly Arctic air spreads across the United Kingdom.

From BBC

The carcass—containing the head, forelimbs, and front part of the animal—was discovered encased in a chunk of ice in 2020 near the Badyarikha River in northern Siberia, above the Arctic Circle.

From Science Magazine

This change in weather fortunes comes about thanks to a blocking area of high pressure building across Greenland with cold Arctic air emptying out across the UK and bitter northerly winds developing.

From BBC