Polaris

[ poh-lair-is, -lar-, puh- ]

noun

1. Astronomy. the polestar or North Star, a star of the second magnitude situated close to the north pole of the heavens, in the constellation Ursa Minor: the outermost star in the handle of the Little Dipper.
2. a two-stage U.S. ballistic missile, usually fired from a submerged submarine.

Polaris

/ pəˈlɑːrɪs /

noun

1. Also calledthe Pole Starthe North Star the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, situated slightly less than 1° from the north celestial pole. It is a Cepheid variable, with a period of four days. Visual magnitude: 2.08–2.17; spectral type: F8Ib
2. 1. a type of US two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile, usually fired by a submerged submarine
   2. ( as modifier )

      a Polaris submarine

Polaris

/ pə-lăr′ĭs /

1. A bright star at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper in the constellation Ursa Minor. Polaris is 1° from the north celestial pole, and it remains in the same location in the sky all year, making it a useful navigation tool. Polaris is actually a double star with a faint companion star and has an apparent magnitude of 2.04. Also called North Star. Scientific name: Alpha Ursae Minoris.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Polaris¹

1955–60; short for Medieval Latin stella polāris polar star

Word History and Origins

Origin of Polaris¹

shortened from Medieval Latin stella polāris polar star

Example Sentences

BRP followed Minnesota-based Polaris, another of the four major snowmobile brands, which partnered with electric-power-train maker Zero Motorcycles in 2020 to do the same by 2025.

From Outside Online

His spaces—Mississippi Studios, Revolution Hall, and Polaris—have been mainstays of Portland’s indie music scene for nearly two decades, hosting acts like The Wailers, Arlo Guthrie and Old Crow Medicine Show.

From Time

Many of the trails are limited to vehicles no wider than 48 inches, perfect for the Polaris Sportsman 570, with its narrow footprint and True On-Demand all-wheel drive.

From Outside Online

Pull up northern Maine’s off-road trails on Polaris’s Ride Command navigation system and you might be a little overwhelmed by the options at hand.

From Outside Online

Load your Polaris with gear and you can “Think Outside” the routes and use these machines to access some of the best hiking, camping, fishing, and even mountain-biking destinations in the lower 48.

From Outside Online

I am pleased to announce our work in partnership with two human-rights groups there: the AHA Foundation and the Polaris Project.

From The Daily Beast

Larry Kramer is senior adviser at Polaris Venture Partners, a venture-capital firm.

From The Daily Beast

Larry Kramer is senior advisor at Polaris Venture Partners, a national venture-capital firm.

From The Daily Beast

Larry Kramer is senior adviser at Polaris Venture Partners, a national venture capital firm.

From The Daily Beast

Scattered through it are patches of Stilbocarpa polaris, locally known as Maori cabbage.

From Project Gutenberg

We were thinking of going out to see what Antares, Betelguese, or Polaris looked like at close range.

From Project Gutenberg

In addition to its regular name, α Urs Minoris is frequently called by the special name Polaris, or the pole star.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon some clear and moonless night point the camera, properly focused, at Polaris, and expose a plate for three or four hours.

From Project Gutenberg

June and November are convenient months for this exercise, since Polaris then comes to culmination early in the evening.

From Project Gutenberg