mama bear
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A woman, especially a mother, who is extremely protective of a child or children.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
To my sister, Kristen, who wears the badge of motherhood with pride and inspires people to love without reservation, without judgment, without fear. She is a mama bear and a wonder to watch in action!
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “mama bear” mean?
A woman, especially a mother, who is extremely protective of a child or children.
Is “mama bear” formal or informal?
mama bear is generally slang.