black bear

noun

: the common North American bear (Ursus americanus) ranging in color from brown or typical black to white

Illustration of black bear

Illustration of black bear

Examples of black bear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two Yuba County men have been convicted in a Northern California poaching case that involved the unlawful pursuit and abuse of 13 wild animals — including eight black bears. Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026 Most of the attacks have been by smaller Asian black bears and have occurred in Akita prefecture, now a front line of the crisis. Peter Guo, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025 The California Fish and Wildlife Department said that black bears are the only wild bears found in the state. Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025 The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is assisting resident Ken Johnson in trying to rid his uninvited guest, an above-average-sized California black bear. Julie Sharp, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for black bear

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black bear was in 1589

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Cite this Entry

“Black bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20bear. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

black bear

noun
: the common usually black-furred bear found in North American forests

More from Merriam-Webster on black bear

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