asterism
noun
as·ter·ism
ˈa-stə-ˌri-zəm 
1
a
: a group of stars that form a pattern in the night sky
On October evenings, when the trees have shed their leaves and stars become visible through the twigs, our best-known asterism, the Big Dipper, passes under the north pole.—
George Lovi
George LoviNote: The term asterism does not now usually refer to a constellation but to a star pattern that makes up part of a constellation or that includes stars from more than one constellation.
b
: a small group of stars
2
: a star-shaped figure exhibited by some crystals by reflected light (as in a star sapphire) or by transmitted light (as in some mica)
Examples of asterism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The current North Star can be found easily by locating the Big Dipper asterism in Ursa Minor, which is high overhead this time of year.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 May 2025
Also within the constellation Sagittarius is the teapot asterism, a small pattern of stars that gives the Milky Way a distinct semblance of rising steam.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2025
Probably the most famous is positioned almost directly over our heads this week as darkness falls: the Big Dipper.
Origin of the Big Bear
Officially, the Dipper is not a full-fledged constellation, but an asterism — just a part of the constellation known as Ursa Major, the Great Bear.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 May 2025
The first mention of the Three Leaps of the Gazelle asterism was seemingly penned by the 13th century Arabic astronomer and mathematician Ulugh Beg, according to a 2021 post from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 30 Apr. 2025
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Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 May 2025
Also within the constellation Sagittarius is the teapot asterism, a small pattern of stars that gives the Milky Way a distinct semblance of rising steam.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2025
Probably the most famous is positioned almost directly over our heads this week as darkness falls: the Big Dipper.
Origin of the Big Bear
Officially, the Dipper is not a full-fledged constellation, but an asterism — just a part of the constellation known as Ursa Major, the Great Bear.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 May 2025
The first mention of the Three Leaps of the Gazelle asterism was seemingly penned by the 13th century Arabic astronomer and mathematician Ulugh Beg, according to a 2021 post from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asterism
Cite this Entry
“Asterism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asterism. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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