Ursa Minor

noun

Ur·​sa Mi·​nor ˌər-sə-ˈmī-nər How to pronounce Ursa Minor (audio)
: a constellation that includes the north pole of the heavens and the stars which form the Little Dipper with the North Star at the tip of the handle

called also Little Bear

Examples of Ursa Minor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then locate Ursa Minor to orient yourself. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 20 Dec. 2025 Meanwhile, seven much dimmer stars make up the Little Dipper which is also known as Ursa Minor, or Little Bear. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 14 June 2026 The Ursids originate from the bowl of the Little Dipper, also known as the Ursa Minor constellation, near the bright orange star called Kochab, Lunsford said. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025 Shooting stars associated with the shower will appear to originate from a patch of sky close to the bright star Kochab in the constellation Ursa Minor, which can be found above the northern horizon throughout December. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Ursa Minor

Word History

Etymology

Latin (genitive Ursae Minoris), literally, lesser bear

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ursa Minor was in 1638

Rhymes for Ursa Minor

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Browse Nearby Words

Ursa Major
Ursa Minor
ursid
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Cite this Entry

“Ursa Minor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ursa%20Minor. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Ursa Minor

noun
Ursa Mi·​nor -ˈmī-nər How to pronounce Ursa Minor (audio)
: the group of stars that includes the north pole of the heavens and the stars which form the Little Dipper with the North Star at the tip of the handle

called also Little Bear

More from Merriam-Webster on Ursa Minor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Ursa Minor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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