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
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The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources said that Lester C. Harvey, 58, was with a group of hunters when a black bear fell out of a tree and hit him around 9:50 a.m. Danielle Jennings, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024 As a part of that partnership, the foundation received the first black bear tag which will be given to a veteran of their organization to go hunt and harvest a black bear. Jacob Mathews | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Dec. 2024 One video showed a black bear pacing back and forth, unable to squeeze through. Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2024 Enjoy rare wildlife sightings, including caribou and black bears, and marvel at the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 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

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 27 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

black bear

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

More from Merriam-Webster on black bear

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