great bear: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, astronomical, zoological
Quick answer
What does “great bear” mean?
The common name for the constellation Ursa Major, characterized by its prominent shape in the northern hemisphere, often associated with the asterism known as the Big Dipper.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The common name for the constellation Ursa Major, characterized by its prominent shape in the northern hemisphere, often associated with the asterism known as the Big Dipper.
Also refers to large bear species, such as the grizzly or brown bear, particularly in North American contexts; figuratively, it can denote something very large, powerful, or significant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK usage, 'Great Bear' almost exclusively refers to the constellation. In North American usage, it can also refer to large bear species (e.g., grizzly bear).
Connotations
UK: Literary, historical, scientific. US: Can be poetic (constellation) or descriptive/pragmatic (large bear).
Frequency
More common in UK English for the constellation; in US English, 'Big Dipper' is more frequent for the asterism, while 'Great Bear' is used in more formal or educational contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “great bear” in a Sentence
the + Great BearGreat Bear + VERB (shines, appears, is visible)ADJECTIVE (bright, faint) + Great BearVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great bear” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Great Bear constellation was clearly visible above the Scottish loch.
American English
- We camped in the Great Bear Wilderness area of Montana.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in branding (e.g., Great Bear Resources).
Academic
Common in astronomy, mythology, and literature courses.
Everyday
Used in stargazing contexts or referring to specific geographical locations (e.g., Great Bear Lake).
Technical
Standard term in astronomy for Ursa Major.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great bear”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great bear”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great bear”
- Using 'Great Bear' to mean any large bear in formal writing without context.
- Capitalising incorrectly ('great bear' vs 'Great Bear').
- Confusing it with 'Polar Bear'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Big Dipper is an asterism (a recognizable pattern of stars) within the larger constellation Ursa Major, which is called the Great Bear.
Yes, but this is less common and primarily North American. It can refer to large bear species like the grizzly or brown bear, especially in regional names (e.g., Great Bear Rainforest).
The name comes from ancient mythology, where the pattern of stars was imagined to resemble a bear. This tradition is found in both Greek and Native American stories.
In most of the Northern Hemisphere, Ursa Major is circumpolar, meaning it never sets below the horizon and is visible throughout the year, though its position changes with the seasons.
The common name for the constellation Ursa Major, characterized by its prominent shape in the northern hemisphere, often associated with the asterism known as the Big Dipper.
Great bear is usually formal, literary, astronomical, zoological in register.
Great bear: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈbeə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈber/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to follow the Great Bear (for navigation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a great, giant bear painted in the stars, its tail forming the handle of a big dipper.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GUIDE OR LANDMARK (as the constellation is used for navigation).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern synonym for 'Great Bear' in astronomy?