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.
According to a 2019 article from the agency, black bears number between 20,000 and 30,000 in Idaho. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 15 June 2026 There are more than 380,000 black bears in Canada, according to the Canadian government, and they are not endangered or at risk. Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 14 June 2026 Brown bears, more dangerous than the black bears most hikers meet, were behind about 664 attacks on people worldwide from 2000 to 2015, a few dozen a year across three continents, and about half the people hurt were out for recreation. John Drake, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 The park also has roughly 600 black bears, for a total bear population of about 900 to 1,000 bears (the figures are approximate). Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Black bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20bear. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

black bear

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

More from Merriam-Webster on black bear

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster