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.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park is home to 100 species of birds, along with occasional deer, black bears, coyotes, and foxes. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025 Later this year, the zoo is preparing to open a North American exhibit that will feature black bear cubs and sea otters and building a Mexican wolf exhibit, which will open to the public next year. Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Sep. 2025 The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) website states that black bears are the only bear species found in Arizona. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a vacationing couple got the surprise of their trip when a black bear wandered into the backyard of their Airbnb and hopped on the swing for a joyride. Ronnie Li, USA Today, 22 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Black bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20bear. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

black bear

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

More from Merriam-Webster on black bear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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