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polestar

American  
[pohl-stahr] / ˈpoʊlˌstɑr /

noun

  1. Polaris.

  2. something that serves as a guiding principle.

  3. something that is the center of attention or attraction.


Etymology

Origin of polestar

First recorded in 1545–55; pole 2 + star

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Intent has been the polestar for the evolution of secondary liability—and especially the contributory liability theory—in copyright law.

From Slate • Nov. 28, 2025

It’s hard to muster one’s revolutionary fervor for Cohn, the man the “Bad Gays” podcast once labeled “the polestar of human evil.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2024

“If we can’t have a conversation with the past, what will be our future?” asks the play’s polestar, one pure-hearted Eric Glass, portrayed by moony-eyed Kyle Soller as sincerity incarnate.

From Washington Post • Nov. 17, 2019

For in Martin’s vast creation, sprawling in both space and time, there is an ever-present drive, an orienting polestar: Who will emerge victorious and sit on the namesake Iron Throne?

From New York Times • Oct. 15, 2018

For the polestar of the statesman has not been love, but law.

From The War and Democracy by

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