1. things that serve as guides or sources of inspiration
Usage: figurative use
2. stars used for navigation, especially the North Star
Usage: nautical; astronomy

Examples

• The Constitution and Bill of Rights serve as lodestars for American democracy.
• Her parents were her lodestars throughout her difficult childhood.
• Ancient sailors relied on lodestars to navigate across the open ocean.
• The company’s core values act as lodestars for all business decisions.
• For centuries, explorers used lodestars to find their way home.
• The teacher became one of the lodestars in his academic journey.