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.
With the constellation Ursa Major high in the sky, late April presents an ideal opportunity to spot the 'Three Leaps of the Gazelle' asterism - a set of three stellar pairings hanging below the Great Bear's most famous feature: the seven stars of the Big Dipper. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 30 Apr. 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 Many bids The Pentagon has received interest from more than 180 companies keen to help develop and build the Golden Dome, according to a U.S. official, including defense startups like Epirus, Ursa Major and Armada. Mike Stone and Marisa Taylor, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 In the past few weeks, McBride has performed multi-night runs with his own Ursa Major band as well as part of a trio with pianist Brad Mehldau and Marcus Gilmore, before settling back into SFJAZZ for a one-night stand with this awesome quintet. Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 11 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 6 May. 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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