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
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An adult black bear swiped a woman with its claw on Saturday in Monrovia in what police described as an unusual incident. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026 As the snow begins to melt and the temperatures rise, black bears in Connecticut are set to re-emerge and become active, just as state officials are urging people to take precautions and know how to stay safe. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026 Another black bear family has taken up residence under a Lake Tahoe home, according to video shared by the Bear League. Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026 Drive the 11-mile loop around it and keep your eyes peeled; the cove is a prime wildlife-watching spot, routinely yielding sightings of white-tail deer, black bears, groundhogs, and raccoons. Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

black bear

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

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