North Star

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. Polaris.

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North Star British  

noun

1. another name for Polaris

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North Star Scientific  

1. See Polaris

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North Star Cultural  

1. A star positioned along the line in space that includes the axis (see also axis) of rotation of the Earth. For this reason, the star does not appear to move in the sky, but remains fixed above the North Pole.

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Discover More

Locating the North Star is useful in navigation.

Etymology

Origin of North Star

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Greek mythology became a North Star for understanding very complicated characters in my own life.

From Los Angeles Times

“What is happening in the Twin Cities and the Great North Star State is heartbreaking to witness,” Towns wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

“The aspiration is still to legalize as much of the United States as we can—that is the North Star,” Howe says.

From The Wall Street Journal

On the table itself, we decided on just two things: a large globe and a star chart for easy consultation with the Big Dipper and the North Star.

From Literature

He said his goal is to “stay true to Caltech’s North Star of fundamental research and exploration integrated deeply with education.”

From Los Angeles Times