circumpolar

[ sur-kuhm-poh-ler ]

adjective

1. around or near a pole, as of the earth.

circumpolar

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈpəʊlə /

adjective

1. (of a star or constellation) visible above the horizon at all times at a specified locality on the earth's surface
2. surrounding or located at or near either of the earth's poles

circumpolar

/ sûr′kəm-pō′lər /

1. Located or found in one of Earth's polar regions.
2. Denoting a star that from a given observer's latitude does not go below the horizon during its diurnal motion. The closer an observer is to one of the poles, the greater the portion of the sky that contains circumpolar stars. At the pole itself, all stars are circumpolar.

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumpolar¹

First recorded in 1680–90; circum- + polar