Big Dipper
noun Astronomy.
the group of seven bright stars in Ursa Major resembling a dipper in outline.
Also called
Dipper.
Origin of Big Dipper
First recorded in 1865–70
British Dictionary definitions for big dipper (1 of 2)
British Dictionary definitions for big dipper (2 of 2)
big dipper
noun
(in amusement parks) a narrow railway with open carriages that run swiftly over a route of sharp curves and steep inclines
Also called: roller coaster
Scientific definitions for big dipper
Big Dipper
An asterism composed of seven stars in the constellation Ursa Major. Four stars form the bowl and three form the handle in the outline of a dipper.
Cultural definitions for big dipper
Big Dipper
A constellation in the northern sky. The two stars on the far end of the bowl of the dipper point toward the North Star. The Big Dipper is part of the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear).