circumpolar

Everyday

1. Found around the North Pole or South Pole, or living in the regions near them. tree →
2. (astronomy) Describing a star or group of stars that never sets below the horizon from a certain place, but circles around the pole star. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science it describes Arctic and Antarctic peoples, animals and currents (the Antarctic Circumpolar Current). In astronomy the Plough (Big Dipper) is circumpolar from the UK and Canada. Phrases: "circumpolar stars", "circumpolar current", "circumpolar peoples".

Examples

• From Scotland, the Plough is a circumpolar constellation. tree →
• Circumpolar stars never set; they circle the pole star all night. tree →
• The Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows all around Antarctica. tree →
• Inuit and Sami are circumpolar peoples. tree →
• Polar bears are circumpolar animals. tree →

Note

circum (around) + polar (of the poles). Which stars are circumpolar depends on where you are: the further north you live, the more stars are circumpolar.