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

The Big Dipper is not an official constellation but rather the rear end and tail of the larger official constellation, Ursa Major, the Big Bear. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026

Sam Sutcliffe and Jasmin Karibzhanova of Ursa Major Films are co-financing alongside Nicholas Chepesiuk of Gabardine, Telefilm Canada and Mongrel Media, with WME Independent and CAA Media Finance co-repping the film for sales. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026

The successful Draper engine demonstration is the culmination of a multi-year public-private partnership between the AFRL and Ursa Major. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026

Located some 104 light-years from Earth, eta Ursa Majoris is one of the brightest stars in the constellation Great Bear (Ursa Major). —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin (genitive Ursae Majoris), literally, greater bear

First Known Use

circa 1627, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Ursa Major

• ager
• gauger
• pager
• stager
• wager
• yager
• teenager

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