black bear

noun

: the common North American bear (Ursus americanus) ranging in color from brown or typical black to white

Illustration of black bear

Examples of black bear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2013, a young black bear was spotted in several east Roseville yards, including outside a home on Spring Valley Drive. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

The boost came in part from two of the sanctuary’s newest residents, Eurasian brown bear Matilda and black bear Herbie, Smeltzer said. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Or an announcement that wildlife officials are planning a statewide slaughter of black bears. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Large mammals also appear prominently throughout the report, with black bears ranking as the deadliest animals in Tennessee and Wisconsin. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for black bear

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

black bear

noun

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