Ursa Major

[ ur-suh mey-jer ]
/ ˈɜr sə ˈmeɪ dʒər /

noun, genitive Ur·sae Ma·jor·is [ur-see muh-jawr-is, -johr-] /ˈɜr si məˈdʒɔr ɪs, -ˈdʒoʊr-/. Astronomy.

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

Origin of Ursa Major

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

British Dictionary definitions for ursa major

Ursa Major
/ (ˈɜːsə ˈmeɪdʒə) /

noun Latin genitive Ursae Majoris (ˈɜːsiː məˈdʒɔːrɪs)

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 Also called: the Great Bear, the Bear

Word Origin for Ursa Major

Latin: greater bear

Scientific definitions for ursa major

Ursa Major
[ ûr′sə ]

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.

Cultural definitions for ursa major

Ursa Major
[ (ur-suh) ]

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