Ursa Major

noun

Ur·sa Ma·jor ˌər-sə-ˈmā-jər

: 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 Among Ursa Major’s new investors is RTX Ventures, the VC arm of the defense giant formerly known as Raytheon. —

Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 Stock up on hydrating body care from brands like Uni, Ursa Major, Tower 28, and Le Prunier. November 24 to 26: 20% off everything! —

Sarah Han november 25, Allure, 25 Nov. 2023 The seven stars that form its distinctive shape are part of a much larger constellation: Ursa Major, the Great Bear. —

Geoff Chester, Washington Post, 1 June 2023 The Pinwheel Galaxy is located on the border separating Ursa Major (the Big Bear) from Boötes the Herdsman, Space.com said. —

Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 24 May 2023 Travelers can now stay in one of 72 custom, 31-foot Airstreams with a queen-size bed, a bathroom with a walk-in shower and Ursa Major toiletries, a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a private patio. —

Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2023 The Big Dipper is actually part of Ursa Major and is used as a guide to finding other constellations in the sky. —

Jamie Carter, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2023 Birds of Prey star Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness breakout Xochitl Gomez have signed on to star in Ursa Major, a new sci-fi thriller from sibling directors Jonathan and Josh Baker (Kin). —

Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2022 There was a six-year break before Ursa Major arrived in 2009. —

Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 May 2022 See More

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

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ursa Major.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ursa%20Major. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

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Kids Definition

Ursa Major

noun

Ur·sa Ma·jor ˌər-sə-ˈmā-jər

: 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