Polaris

American  

[poh-lair-is, -lar-, puh-] / poʊˈlɛər ɪs, -ˈlær-, pə- /

noun

1. Astronomy. the polestar or North Star, a star of the second magnitude situated close to the north pole of the heavens, in the constellation Ursa Minor: the outermost star in the handle of the Little Dipper.

2. a two-stage U.S. ballistic missile, usually fired from a submerged submarine.

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Polaris British  

/ pəˈlɑːrɪs /

noun

1. Also called: the Pole Star.   the North Star.  the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, situated slightly less than 1° from the north celestial pole. It is a Cepheid variable, with a period of four days. Visual magnitude: 2.08–2.17; spectral type: F8Ib

2. 1. a type of US two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile, usually fired by a submerged submarine

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Polaris submarine

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Polaris Scientific  

/ pə-lăr′ĭs /

1. A bright star at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper in the constellation Ursa Minor. Polaris is 1° from the north celestial pole, and it remains in the same location in the sky all year, making it a useful navigation tool. Polaris is actually a double star with a faint companion star and has an apparent magnitude of 2.04. Also called North Star. Scientific name: Alpha Ursae Minoris.

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Etymology

Origin of Polaris

1955–60; short for Medieval Latin stella polāris polar star

Example Sentences

I enjoyed the signature burger at the Polaris lounge in San Francisco much more than my beef tenderloin in the sky.

From The Wall Street Journal

United Airlines next month will start flying planes with its biggest, most posh Polaris business-class suites yet.

From The Wall Street Journal

The UK has operated continuous at-sea deterrence since 1969, with first Polaris and then Trident missiles stored on and launched from nuclear-powered submarines with the capacity to remain submerged at sea for months.

From BBC

Since 1969, the UK has operated continuous at-sea deterrence, with first Polaris and then Trident missiles stored on and launched from nuclear-powered submarines with the capacity to remain submerged at sea for months.

From BBC

Polaris CEO Michael Speetzen, whose company makes snowmobiles, boats and three-wheel motorcycles, said as much at a conference this month.

From MarketWatch