teddy bear

American  

noun

teddy bears plural

1. a toy bear, especially a stuffed one.

---

teddy bear British  

noun

1. Often shortened to: teddy.  a stuffed toy bear made from soft or fluffy material

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• teddy bears
  plural

Etymology

Origin of teddy bear

1905–10, after Theodore Roosevelt, called Teddy, who is said to have saved the life of a bear cub while hunting

Example Sentences

Yet the series allows Lilypad to be a more sympathetic antagonist than the teddy bear it once tied to the grille of a garbage truck in “Toy Story 3.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

Meanwhile, Camilla will mark the 100th birthday of fictional teddy bear Winnie the Pooh at the New York Public Library, where she is expected to gift a specially made toy of the character Roo.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

A rare century-old teddy bear has been sold at auction for £1,250 - more than four times its auction estimate.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

She looks like a teddy bear that’s come to life.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

She always made sure I had my book and Norm the Bear, even though I didn’t need a teddy bear.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff