| any of several medium-sized to large bears of the species Ursus arctos, inhabiting North America and Eurasia in dwindling populations, characterized by an upturned muzzle and a hump high on the back and ranging from light tan to near black; formerly considered three distinct species and often still referred to as such: U. horribilis, the grizzly bear; U. middendorffi, the Kodiac bear; and U. arctos, comprising European and Asian brown bears. |
| brown bear n. Any of several large bears of the genus Ursus, such as the grizzly and Kodiak bears, inhabiting western North America and northern Eurasia and having brown to yellowish fur. Brown bears are sometimes categorized as the single species U. arctos. |