Illustration of black bear
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
At the right angle, Duke does resemble a black bear.
—
Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023
For most trail runners, bear spray is overkill in black bear country.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 5 Oct. 2023
The agency encourages residents and visitors in Pennsylvania’s bear country to keep all food sources secure in order to prevent encounters like Mike’s with habituated black bears.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 7 Sep. 2023
Rescuers moved Na the Asiatic black bear from her cage at a bear bile farm in Vietnam to a large, open habitat at a sanctuary
For the first time in 20 years, Na the bear has choices.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023
The criminal was a black bear estimated to weigh 300 to 400 pounds, WOFL-TV reported.
—CBS News, 8 Nov. 2023
Surrounded by mountains and shaggy, dense boreal forest, the area is home to diverse wildlife including moose, caribou, and American black bears.
—Clem De Pressigny, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023
Although many believe the polar bear is the only white bear in the world, the Kermode is also a shade of white, but more closely related to the black bear.
—Jonny Bierman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2023
To his surprise, the camera captured footage of a large black bear busting some rather unexpected moves, according to Storyful.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 25 Oct. 2023
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Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023
For most trail runners, bear spray is overkill in black bear country.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 5 Oct. 2023
The agency encourages residents and visitors in Pennsylvania’s bear country to keep all food sources secure in order to prevent encounters like Mike’s with habituated black bears.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 7 Sep. 2023
Rescuers moved Na the Asiatic black bear from her cage at a bear bile farm in Vietnam to a large, open habitat at a sanctuary
For the first time in 20 years, Na the bear has choices.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023
The criminal was a black bear estimated to weigh 300 to 400 pounds, WOFL-TV reported.
—CBS News, 8 Nov. 2023
Surrounded by mountains and shaggy, dense boreal forest, the area is home to diverse wildlife including moose, caribou, and American black bears.
—Clem De Pressigny, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023
Although many believe the polar bear is the only white bear in the world, the Kermode is also a shade of white, but more closely related to the black bear.
—Jonny Bierman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2023
To his surprise, the camera captured footage of a large black bear busting some rather unexpected moves, according to Storyful.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 25 Oct. 2023
See More
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 2 Dec. 2023.
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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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