grizzly bear

noun

1. a large North American brown bear, Ursus ( arctos ) horribilis, with coarse, gray-tipped brown fur, once widespread in the western part of the continent as far south as northern Mexico but now restricted to some regions of Alaska, western Canada, and the U.S. Rocky Mountains: a threatened species except in Alaska.

grizzly bear

noun

1. a variety of the brown bear, Ursus arctos horribilis, formerly widespread in W North America; its brown fur has cream or white hair tips on the back, giving a grizzled appearance Often shortened togrizzly

Word History and Origins

Origin of grizzly bear¹

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

In March 2022, a Montana hiker died after being attacked by a grizzly bear just north of Yellowstone, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Before it’s over, we’ll see grizzly bears, moose, elephants, walruses, rhinos and more — an amalgam of the more than 75 detailed habitat displays that are at the heart of the museum’s exhibits.

From Los Angeles Times

California’s state animal might be the grizzly bear, but today is another bear’s big moment to shine.

From Los Angeles Times

One female grizzly bear, tracked with GPS collar, tucked herself and her two cubs into a wet spot by the Athabasca River as the fire roared through on Wednesday.

From BBC

There’s nothing more exciting than seeing the stuffed grizzly bear just 12 feet away from you.

From New York Times