teddy bear

noun

ted·​dy bear ˈte-dē-ˌber How to pronounce teddy bear (audio)
: a stuffed toy bear

Examples of teddy bear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In these top-floor spaces, the two young princesses would play with teddy bears and toy horses. Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 22 Feb. 2026 Zappolo, the sportscaster, said there was a sweet teddy bear behind the game-day bluster. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026 Zappolo said there was a sweet teddy bear behind the game-day bluster. Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026 Its name was later shortened to Teddy Award, but the statuette remains shaped like a teddy bear. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for teddy bear

Word History

Etymology

Teddy, nickname of Theodore Roosevelt; from a cartoon depicting the president sparing the life of a bear cub while hunting

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of teddy bear was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Teddy bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teddy%20bear. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

teddy bear

noun
ted·​dy bear ˈted-ē- How to pronounce teddy bear (audio)
: a stuffed toy bear

More from Merriam-Webster on teddy bear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster