south pole

noun

1
a
often capitalized S&P : the southernmost point of the earth
b
: the zenith of the heavens as viewed from the south terrestrial pole
2
of a magnet : the pole that points toward the south

Examples of south pole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The world is converging on the lunar south pole because NASA is inviting them there, and seems itself serious about staying. David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Odysseus launched to space on February 15 and started its descent to the lunar south pole on February 22. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 China also expects its upcoming missions to collect data toward another lunar goal – constructing a permanent international research station on the lunar south pole by 2040. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 Data collected by robotic spacecraft visiting the moon has confirmed that many of the south pole’s craters may contain pockets of water in the form of ice. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 Key Facts Odysseus’ touchdown near the moon’s south pole is the first lunar landing by a U.S. entity since Apollo 17 in 1972, though other countries have launched spacecraft to the moon more recently, including China in 2019 and Japan earlier this year. Brian Bushard, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 The uncrewed lunar lander likely touched down near at an impact crater by the moon’s south pole called Malapert A at 6:24 p.m. EST on February 22, 2024. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2024 Intuitive Machines The agency's goal is to help kickstart development of new technologies and to collect data that will be needed by Artemis astronauts planning to land near the moon's south pole later this decade. William Harwood, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024 The private spacefaring company now aims for a landing on 22 February, just 300 kilometers from the lunar south pole. IEEE Spectrum, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'south pole.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of south pole was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near south pole

Cite this Entry

“South pole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/south%20pole. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

south pole

noun
1
often capitalized S&P : the southernmost point of the earth : the southern end of the earth's axis
2
: the pole of a magnet that points toward the south

More from Merriam-Webster on south pole

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