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Definition of black bear

black bear

Plural:black bears
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• 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

black bat flower
black bean
black beans
black bear
black blind snake
black box
black caiman

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 Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/black-bear
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