Ursa Major

[ ur-suh mey-jer ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Astronomy.

genitive Ursae Majoris

the Great Bear, the most prominent northern constellation, containing the seven stars that form the Big Dipper.

Ursa Major

/ ˈɜːsə ˈmeɪdʒə /

noun

an extensive conspicuous constellation in the N hemisphere, visible north of latitude 40°. The seven brightest stars form the Plough. A line through the two brightest stars points to the Pole Star lying in Ursa Minor Also calledthe Great Bearthe Bear

Ursa Major

A constellation in the polar region of the Northern Hemisphere near Draco and Leo. Ursa Major (the Great Bear) contains the seven stars that form the Big Dipper.

Ursa Major

A constellation ; the Great Bear. ( See Big Dipper .)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Ursa Major¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Ursa Major¹

Latin: greater bear

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Ursa Major was also known as Sparta III, so it was not clear which ship it was referring to.

From

Located 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major, this galaxy is relatively compact in size but hosts a frenzy of star formation activity.

From

Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is one of the most prominent northern constellations, and its main claim to fame is that it contains the Big Dipper, a highly recognizable asterism.

From

I’m also thinking about Ursa Major, and how, if you let her, the Big Mama Bear in the sky will always point you in the right direction.

From

M101 appears in the sky near the end of the handle of the Big Dipper, in the constellation Ursa Major.

From

Urquhart Castle Ursa Minor

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