Ursa Major

noun

Ur·​sa Ma·​jor ˌər-sə-ˈmā-jər How to pronounce Ursa Major (audio)
: a constellation that is the most conspicuous of the northern constellations, is situated near the north pole of the heavens, and contains the stars forming the Big Dipper two of which are in a line indicating the direction of the North Star

called also Great Bear

Examples of Ursa Major in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The long radio blasts, which lasted between 30 and 90 seconds, appeared to come from the direction of the Ursa Major constellation, where the Big Dipper is located. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025 The stellar dancing duet can be located in the star system in the direction of the Great Bear, otherwise known as Ursa Major, according to two papers published in Nature Astronomy. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025 The group is named Ursa Major, and it’s made up of performers who represent the future: keyboardist Michael King, drummer Savannah Harris, saxophonist Nicole Glover and guitarist Ely Perlman. Bret Saunders, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025 In the northern skies is the Big Dipper, the bright rear end and tail of the constellation Ursa Major, the Big Bear. Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 2 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Ursa Major

Word History

Etymology

Latin (genitive Ursae Majoris), literally, greater bear

First Known Use

circa 1627, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ursa Major was circa 1627

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Cite this Entry

“Ursa Major.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ursa%20Major. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

Ursa Major

noun
Ur·​sa Ma·​jor ˌər-sə-ˈmā-jər How to pronounce Ursa Major (audio)
: the northern group of stars that is the easiest to pick out, is located near the north pole of the heavens, and contains the stars forming the Big Dipper two of which are in a line pointing in the direction of the North Star

called also Great Bear

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