mama bear

• mamma bear, momma bear (US), mumma bear (Commonwealth)

• Audio (General Australian):

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mama bear (plural mama bears)

1. (informal) A female bear currently rearing one or more cubs.
2. (by extension, slang) A woman, especially a mother, who is extremely protective of a child or children.
   • 2009, Kimberly Van Meter, Kids on the Doorstep, →ISBN, dedication, page 6:

     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!

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:mama bear.

• (woman protective of a child or children): mama grizzly

• helicopter mom
• tiger mom, tiger mother

• helicopter parent