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 In the same way that a child, playing with a teddy bear, learns how her imagination relates to the external world, users reconcile similar incongruities by telling the stories of their lives on TikTok. Kim Hew-Low, New York Times, 16 May 2024 Filled with cast-off IFs who spend their days participating in such activities as group therapy and water aerobics, it’s presided over by elderly teddy bear Lewis (the late Louis Gossett Jr., delivering a lovely voice performance). Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for teddy bear 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'teddy bear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near teddy bear

Cite this Entry

“Teddy bear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teddy%20bear. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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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