Ursa Minor

American  

[ur-suh mahy-ner] / ˈɜr sə ˈmaɪ nər /

noun

Astronomy.

genitive

Ursae Minoris

1. the Little or Lesser Bear, the northernmost constellation, containing the stars that form the Little Dipper, the outermost of which, at the end of the handle, is Polaris.

---

Ursa Minor British  

/ ˈɜːsə ˈmaɪnə /

noun

1. Also called: the Little Bear.   the Bear.   the Little Dipper.  a small faint constellation, the brightest star of which is the Pole Star, lying 1° from the true celestial pole

---

Ursa Minor Scientific  

1. A ladle-shaped constellation very near the north celestial pole. Ursa Minor (the Lesser Bear) contains the seven stars that form the Little Dipper. Polaris, the North Star, is at the end of the dipper's handle.

---

Ursa Minor Cultural  

1. The Little Bear or Little Dipper; the constellation that contains the North Star (Polaris).

---

Etymology

Origin of Ursa Minor

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor, hence its name with a peak rate of just 10 meteors per hour.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

The researchers focused on two regions of the vast sky: A section of the Ursa Minor constellation and another region near the Fornax cluster.

From Salon • Jun. 15, 2023

Similarly, the Polaris floor lamp, Gemini table lamp, Tri-Stars wall sconce and Ursa Minor chandelier take their cues from the heavens.

From New York Times • Apr. 11, 2023

With our friends, we decided to try Ursa Minor, a recent addition to Lopez Village dining choices.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2017

Ella spotted Brigit surrounded by both the Hydra and Ursa Minor girls.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton