1. The brightest star in Ursa Minor; at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper; the northern axis of the earth points toward it
   "Ancient sailors used the pole star for navigation";
   - Polaris, North Star, polar star
    
2. Something that serves as a model or guide
   "Truth was his pole star";
   - lodestar, loadstar, beacon, guiding light

Derived forms: pole stars

Type of: example, loadstar, lodestar, model, variable, variable star

Part of: Dipper, Little Bear, Little Dipper, Ursa Minor

Encyclopedia: Pole star