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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On the left side of the sky is the Big Dipper, part of the Great Bear, Ursa Major. Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2025 An international team, including MIT physicists, detected the flash just 130 million light-years from Earth, in the constellation Ursa Major. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2025 Starbursts and sparkles Instead of pointing to Ursa Major, why not have the stars at your fingertips (or at least near them)? Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 7 July 2025 Other major players like Boeing are pitching existing assets like the X-37B spaceplane, while defense startups such as Epirus, Ursa Major and Armada are also jockeying for a role. Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 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 9 Sep. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on Ursa Major

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