teddy bear

noun

ted·​dy bear ˈte-dē-ˌber How to pronounce teddy bear (audio)
: a stuffed toy bear

Examples of teddy bear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An investigator with the San Bernardino County Coroner office responded and collected the teddy bear, officials said. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 16 July 2025 The creepy teddy bear was reported to authorities by both a customer and employee of the gas station, a sheriff's spokesperson said. Lindsay Good, NBC news, 14 July 2025 Push him the wrong way, and this teddy bear turns terrifying. Denise Petski, Deadline, 8 May 2025 The foreheads of teddy bears grew significantly taller between 1900 and 1980, though the bears did not become appreciably cuter over the same period. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for teddy bear

Word History

Etymology

Teddy, nickname of Theodore Roosevelt; from a cartoon depicting the president sparing the life of a bear cub while hunting

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of teddy bear was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Teddy bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teddy%20bear. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

teddy bear

noun
ted·​dy bear ˈted-ē- How to pronounce teddy bear (audio)
: a stuffed toy bear

More from Merriam-Webster on teddy bear

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