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 makes up the rear end and tail of the constellation Ursa Major, the Big Bear. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026

The hypersonic test vehicle is powered by a Hadley rocket engine developed by Ursa Major. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026

The remainder of the unicorns are valued at between $1 billion to $2 billion, including a promising new entrant, Ursa Major, which is developing solid fuel and hypersonic rocket systems that could improve U.S. defense capabilities. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026

Instead look for Ursa Major, or the Big Dipper, and gaze toward the end of its handle. —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 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