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DictionaryAntarcticSouth polar region
adjective / proper noun

Antarctic

an-TARK-tik/ænˈtɑːrktɪk/

The polar region around the South Pole.

Emperor penguins stand on sea ice beside an Antarctic ice shelf.

A recognizable Antarctic coastal landscape: emperor penguins on sea ice beside a blue-white ice shelf, with bare, snow-covered mountains behind them.
Etymology
antGreekopposite
+arcticGreeknorthern; of the Bear

Arktikos meant northern because the Bear constellation marked the northern sky. Adding “opposite” placed the Antarctic at the other pole, connecting the name to the southern polar region.

In context

Viking.TV47:52
mountains pierce the antarctic ice sheet in some places not around the south pole it is just white white white everywhere
Anne Diamond unlocks the mysteries of the ice with glaciologist Julian Dowdeswell

More examples

  • Researchers prepare for a long antarctic winter.
  • The ship carries supplies to an antarctic research station.
  • Several bird species depend on the antarctic marine environment.

Similar words

southern
Much broader than the region surrounding the South Pole.
polar
Can refer to either the Arctic or Antarctic.