brown bear

American  

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.

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brown bear British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of brown bear

First recorded in 1775–85

Compare meaning

How does brown-bear compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• brown bear vs. grizzly bear

Example Sentences

It's of a brown bear with big claws and a blonde woman in a green pinafore dress beside it.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Romania is home to the largest brown bear population in the European Union.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2025

A brown bear — and there hasn’t been one of those in Southern California for more than a century — breaks into a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost, seemingly using the door handle.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2024

Her voice cracked as she recalled a brown bear that had been struck dead on the freeway near the Cajon Pass.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024

Mr. Freeman moved gracefully, like a big brown bear, and seldom spoke to us.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou