polar bear: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “polar bear” mean?
A large carnivorous white bear (Ursus maritimus) living in the Arctic region.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large carnivorous white bear (Ursus maritimus) living in the Arctic region.
An iconic symbol of the Arctic and climate change; sometimes used metaphorically for something or someone strong, isolated, or associated with extreme cold.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related words may differ (e.g., 'behaviour' vs. 'behavior').
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Strongly associated with conservation and climate change discourse.
Frequency
Equally frequent and common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “polar bear” in a Sentence
The polar bear [verb e.g., hunts, lives, swims]A polar bear of [size/age]Polar bears in [location]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “polar bear” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The researchers went to Svalbard to polar-bear watch for the summer.
- He was polar-bearing, a term they used for trekking in bear territory.
American English
- The documentary crew is polar bear spotting in Alaska.
- They spent weeks polar bear surveying for the conservation group.
adjective
British English
- The polar-bear conservation effort is gaining support.
- She wore a thick polar-bear style fur hood.
American English
- The polar bear exhibit at the zoo is very popular.
- He leads polar bear research for the government.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in branding (e.g., 'Polar Bear Insurance' for cold-climate coverage) or CSR reports on conservation.
Academic
Common in biology, environmental science, and climate change literature.
Everyday
Common in general conversation, news about wildlife and climate.
Technical
Used in zoological, ecological, and conservation contexts with precise taxonomic and behavioural terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “polar bear”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “polar bear”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “polar bear”
- Incorrect: 'pole bear' (spelling).
- Incorrect: using 'polar bear' for other white or Arctic animals (e.g., snowy owl).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, their fur is translucent and hollow, reflecting light to appear white. Their skin underneath is black.
Their primary prey is seals, particularly ringed and bearded seals, which they hunt from sea ice.
They depend on sea ice to hunt and live. The rapid loss of Arctic sea ice due to global warming directly threatens their survival.
It is a compound noun written as two separate words ('polar bear'), not hyphenated or as one word.
A large carnivorous white bear (Ursus maritimus) living in the Arctic region.
Polar bear is usually neutral in register.
Polar bear: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpəʊ.lə ˈbeər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpoʊ.lɚ ˈber/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like a polar bear in a sauna (extremely out of place/uncomfortable)”
- “Polar bear plunge (a winter swim in icy water)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bear at the North POLE, so it's a POLAR bear.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS SIZE/COLD (A polar bear of a man); VULNERABILITY IS MELTING ICE (Polar bears are on thin ice due to climate change).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary habitat of the polar bear?