polar cap

noun

Geology. the icecap situated at either end of the earth's poles.
Astronomy. either of the two bright areas around the poles of the planet Mars, consisting of water ice and frozen carbon dioxide.

Origin of polar cap

First recorded in 1890–95

Words nearby polar cap

polar angle, polar axis, polar bear, polar body, polar bond, polar cap, polar cataract, polar circle, polar coordinate, polar coordinate system, polar coordinates

Scientific definitions for polar cap

polar cap

The mass of ice that covers either of the Earth's polar regions year-round.
The mass of frozen carbon dioxide and water that covers either of Mars's polar regions.