grizzly bear
noun
: a very large brown bear (Ursus arctos) of northwestern North America
Note: The grizzly bear is the same species as the brown bear, but grizzly bear is typically used for the North American brown bear and not the European or Asian brown bear. In the U.S., grizzly bear is most often used for a brown bear of inland habitats (as in Montana and western Canada) that is typically smaller than coastal brown bears and usually has lighter-colored tips on the fur. The grizzly bear is often considered a subspecies (Ursus arctos horribilis) of the brown bear and, especially formerly, a separate species (Ursus horribilis).
The brown bears of Kodiak Island, the grizzly bears of the Rocky Mountains and interior Alaska, the European brown bear, all are now considered to be the same species, Ursus arctos, despite tremendous variation in color, size, and habits. 
Natural History
Natural Historycalled also grizzly
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Wildlife officials recommend that if a grizzly bear approaches an occupied tent, campers should seek shelter in a building or vehicle and should not return to the tent for the night, the report said. Amy Beth Hanson, USA TODAY, 20 July 2022 Grizzly bears in the area are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and whitebark pine, a grizzly bear food source, has been proposed for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 6 June 2022 Around that time, the grizzly bear was about 4 miles to the west trying to break into a trailer, according to the committee’s report. Jonathan Edwards, Anchorage Daily News, 19 July 2022 Around that time, the grizzly bear was about 4 miles to the west trying to break into a trailer, according to the committee’s report. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 19 July 2022 The 417-pound male grizzly bear broke her neck and severed her spine, an autopsy found, causing instantaneous death. Amy Beth Hanson, USA TODAY, 20 July 2022 Last July, a violent grizzly bear attack occurred in a Montana town where many bikepackers camp. New York Times, 4 July 2022 That said, locals are quick to point out that the town’s most notorious celebrity is an elusive 26-year-old grizzly bear known as 399. Brigid Mander, WSJ, 30 June 2022 Rocky, a 700-pound Syrian ,grizzly bear, arrived Saturday at Lions Tigers & Bears, a big cat and exotic animal rescue operation in Alpine, and appears to be settling in. Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2022 See More
Amy Beth Hanson, USA TODAY, 20 July 2022 Grizzly bears in the area are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and whitebark pine, a grizzly bear food source, has been proposed for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 6 June 2022 Around that time, the grizzly bear was about 4 miles to the west trying to break into a trailer, according to the committee’s report. Jonathan Edwards, Anchorage Daily News, 19 July 2022 Around that time, the grizzly bear was about 4 miles to the west trying to break into a trailer, according to the committee’s report. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 19 July 2022 The 417-pound male grizzly bear broke her neck and severed her spine, an autopsy found, causing instantaneous death. Amy Beth Hanson, USA TODAY, 20 July 2022 Last July, a violent grizzly bear attack occurred in a Montana town where many bikepackers camp. New York Times, 4 July 2022 That said, locals are quick to point out that the town’s most notorious celebrity is an elusive 26-year-old grizzly bear known as 399. Brigid Mander, WSJ, 30 June 2022 Rocky, a 700-pound Syrian ,grizzly bear, arrived Saturday at Lions Tigers & Bears, a big cat and exotic animal rescue operation in Alpine, and appears to be settling in. Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1791, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
grizzly bear
noun
: a large powerful brown bear of western North America