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black bear
noun
: the common North American bear (Ursus americanus) ranging in color from brown or typical black to white
Examples of black bear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One family member took meat to the reunion from a black bear hunted in Canada.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 15 Oct. 2024
Hunting for deer, elk, bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion, and wild turkey in the monument is managed by Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 3 Oct. 2024
The ranges serve as important habitat corridors for species like the ocelot, jaguar and black bear, enabling them to move widely in search of food, mates and shelter.
—Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024
The state’s black bear population is currently estimated to be between 50,000-81,000.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for black bear
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'black bear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1589, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near black bear
Cite this Entry
“Black bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20bear. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
black bear
noun
: the common usually black-furred bear found in North American forests
More from Merriam-Webster on black bear
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about black bear
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