lodestar

Also load·star

[lohd-stahr]

noun

1. a star that shows the way.

2. Polaris.

3. something that serves as a guide or on which the attention is fixed.

lodestar

/ ˈləʊdˌstɑː /

noun

1. a star, esp the North Star, used in navigation or astronomy as a point of reference

2. something that serves as a guide or model

lodestar

1. A star, especially Polaris, that is used as a point of reference.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lodestar¹

First recorded in 1325–75, lodestar is from Middle English loode sterre. See lode, star

Word History and Origins

Origin of lodestar¹

C14: literally, guiding star. See _lode

Example Sentences

The theater Sheta ran in the camp, which he nurtured into an internationally known lodestar of Palestinian cultural resistance?

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Once a cultural lodestar, Ye now occupies a far more polarizing place: embraced by a loyal fringe, shunned by former collaborators and largely exiled from mainstream music and fashion.

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Both books were critically acclaimed bestsellers, and established Gay as a literary lodestar.

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Abby lost her lodestar — her father — to what she believes was a random act of extreme violence.

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“In these cases, we want to make sure that their lodestar are student and faculty rights, rather than who is exerting the most pressure.”

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Related Words

• catalog 
• clue 
• directory 
• guidebook 
• handbook 
• key 
• manual