1.
the North Star; Polaris
The star almost directly above the north pole, which therefore stays nearly fixed in the sky while the others turn around it. Long used for finding direction at night, and often invoked figuratively as a guiding light.
Common collocations
- 北極星を見つける: to spot the North Star
- 北極星を頼りに: guided by the North Star
- 北斗七星: the Big Dipper — the usual landmark for locating it
Usage
In speeches and business writing the star serves as a metaphor for a fixed goal or guiding principle: 会社の北極星となる理念 (a philosophy that serves as the company's north star).
Related Words
Compare:
北斗七星 (the Big Dipper)