Antarctica

[ ant-ahrk-ti-kuh, -ahr-ti- ]
/ æntˈɑrk tɪ kə, -ˈɑr tɪ- /

noun

the continent surrounding the South Pole: almost entirely covered by an ice sheet. About 5,000,000 sq. mi. (12,950,000 sq. km).
Also called Antarctic Continent.

Example sentences from the Web for antarctica

British Dictionary definitions for antarctica

Antarctica
/ (æntˈɑːktɪkə) /

noun

a continent around the South Pole: consists of an ice-covered plateau, 1800–3000 m (6000 ft to 10 000 ft) above sea level, and mountain ranges rising to 4500 m (15 000 ft) with some volcanic peaks; average temperatures all below freezing and human settlement is confined to research stations. All political claims to the mainland are suspended under the Antarctic Treaty of 1959

Cultural definitions for antarctica

Antarctica

Continent surrounding the South Pole, located almost entirely within the Antarctic Circle. It is covered by an ice cap up to thirteen thousand feet thick.

notes for Antarctica

Antarctica is characterized by extremely low temperatures.

notes for Antarctica

In 1911, Roald Amundsen became the first explorer to reach the South Pole, followed shortly thereafter by Robert Scott.