brown bear

noun

1. any of several medium-sized to large bears of the species Ursus arctos, inhabiting North America and Eurasia in dwindling populations, characterized by an upturned muzzle and a hump high on the back and ranging from light tan to near black; formerly considered three distinct species and often still referred to as such: U. horribilis, the grizzly bear; U. middendorffi, the Kodiac bear; and U. arctos, comprising European and Asian brown bears.

brown bear

noun

1. a large ferocious brownish bear, Ursus arctos , inhabiting temperate forests of North America, Europe, and Asia See also grizzly bear Kodiak bear

Word History and Origins

Origin of brown bear¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

During one of the coldest months of the year, a seasoned local snowboarder and two of his friends had gone in search of powder and instead stumbled onto a brown bear’s den.

From Outside Online

It’s also an area of extraordinary biodiversity, containing more plant life per square mile than any other place on this continent, and serving as home to the densest populations of brown bears and bald eagles in North America.

From Outside Online

There, you’re almost guaranteed to spot several massive brown bears fishing in the famous waterfall.

From Outside Online

The only thing standing in its way was a huge brown bear perched hungrily atop the falls, eager to end the miles-long journey with a single snap of her jaw.

From Outside Online

As we neared the Eielson Visitor Center, I was struck by the sheer size of a far-off brown bear chomping at blueberry bushes in a desperate attempt to gain weight before winter.

From Outside Online

Sykes suspects that the hairs come from either an unrecognized bear species, or an unknown hybrid of polar bear and brown bear.

From The Daily Beast

But the little Brown Bear, being stuffed with straw, was a clumsy traveler and the others had to wait for him to follow.

From Project Gutenberg

A great shiny Owl perched upon another chair and a Brown Bear squatted upon her parlor rug.

From Project Gutenberg

Just now I'm as you see me—a miserable little Brown Bear with a poor quality of stuffing.

From Project Gutenberg

The Wasp Fly—dubbed with brown bear or cow's hair, ribbed with yellow silk, and the wings of the inside of starling's wing.

From Project Gutenberg

A hedgehog crept stealthily along the ground, and at a sudden sound curled himself up like a wee brown bear.

From Project Gutenberg