brown bear

American  

noun

• brown bears
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• brown bears
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of brown bear

First recorded in 1775–85

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Compare meaning

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

• brown bear vs. grizzly bear

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

brown bear

But it’s his pages of sharp-eyed nature writing that will stay in mind, including an encounter with “a European brown bear, a near relative of the American grizzly.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

"We recovered two pendants: one made from a shell and another from a brown bear tooth," said Tornero.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 3, 2026

He warned that other animals could now come under attack, including the Marsican brown bear - a critically endangered species considered a symbol of the Abruzzo national park.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

A brown bear who underwent pioneering, life-saving brain surgery in October has rejoined his playmates after more than a year apart.

From BBC ● May 15, 2025

A small brown bear waddled through the heart of town stirring up parking ticket flakes, but nothing else: the Doberman Brutus in the Pilar Cafe was much too tired to bark.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

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