pole-star

Noun

pole star (plural pole stars)

1. The star visible to the naked eye which was in the past, is now, or will be in the future nearest a celestial pole of a planet.
   • Polaris is currently the pole star of planet Earth.

   Synonyms:

   polar star, pole arctic

2. (figuratively) A person, principle, or thing which acts as a guide; a guiding light; also, something which attracts much attention; a centre of attention.
   • But it [our hotel] has one great advantage for a stranger, by being in the market place, and the next neighbour of the huge church of St. Nicholas: […] A better pole-star could scarcely be desired.1817, S[amuel] T[aylor] Coleridge, “Satyrane’s Letters. Letter II. (To a Lady.)”, in Biographia Literaria; or Biographical Sketches of My Literary Life and Opinions, volume II, London: Rest Fenner...

   Synonyms:

   cynosure, guide star, guiding star, lodestar

See all 3 meanings of pole star