Ursa Major

American  

[ur-suh mey-jer] / ˈɜr sə ˈmeɪ dʒər /

noun

Astronomy.

genitive

Ursae Majoris

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

---

Ursa Major British  

/ ˈɜːsə ˈmeɪdʒə /

noun

1. Also called: the Great Bear.   the Bear.  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

---

Ursa Major Scientific  

/ ûr′sə /

1. 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 Cultural  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of Ursa Major

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

In 2002, she and Meyer moved into Ursa Major, an architectural landmark whose pool had an entrance in the living room floor.

From The Wall Street Journal

It originated near the outer region of the galaxy NGC 4141, located about 130 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major.

From Science Daily

I even spot some constellations Autumn and I would see on summer nights, including Ursa Major and Leo Minor.

From Literature

Spy Brunch found inspiration in the era of ’60s protest music in its “Ursa Major and the Blue Mountain Hexes,” turning audience members into makeshift musicians in its mischievous show about outwitting a government agent.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC