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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The agency recorded one human fatality from a coyote in 1981 and another fatality from a black bear in 2023. Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026 The Smokies are home to roughly 1,900 black bears, one of the densest populations in the country, the National Park Service said. Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 There are about 100,000 black bears and 30,000 brown bears in Alaska, according to the Department of Fish and Game. Mark Osborne, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026 The base encompasses 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) within the Municipality of Anchorage, where up to 350 black bears and 75 brown bears roam freely. ABC News, 17 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

black bear

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

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