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Definition of black bear
black bear
Plural:black bears
• noun
1
North American A medium-sized species of bear (Ursus americanus) native to the forests of North America, typically having a dark shaggy coat, an omnivorous diet, and strong tree-climbing abilities.
Example
"During our hike in the Great Smoky Mountains, we safely observed a black bear foraging for wild berries near the treeline."
2
Any of several species of bears primarily characterized by dark fur, such as the Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus), which is native to the forested regions of southern and eastern Asia.
Example
"The Asian black bear is easily recognizable by the distinct white, V-shaped patch of fur on its chest."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for black bear• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Black bear. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/black%20bear