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
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.
Earlier this month, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported that a black bear died after getting trapped inside an unlocked vehicle in Colorado Springs. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Hours three and four fly by, interrupted only by a young male black bear crossing our path. — Johanna Wolfe, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026 In a separate incident, a detective with the Dickson County Sheriff's Office filmed a black bear in another detective's yard on July 8 in middle Tennessee. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 If someone sees a black bear, they are encouraged to move away quietly and slowly, and never run. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Aug. 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

Rhymes for black bear

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Browse Nearby Words

black bean
black bear
black bearberry
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Cite this Entry

“Black bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20bear. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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