A teddy is a stuffed toy bear, one of the most beloved toys in childhood. Named after President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, these soft, cuddly bears became popular after a 1902 hunting trip where Roosevelt refused to shoot a captured bear cub, considering it unsportsmanlike. A toymaker heard the story and created a stuffed bear in his honor, calling it “Teddy's bear.”

Teddies come in all sizes, from tiny pocket bears to enormous ones taller than most kids. Some children sleep with their teddy every night and take it everywhere. A well-loved teddy might lose an eye, develop worn patches, or need stitches from a parent, but these repairs can make it even more precious to its owner.

The word can also refer to a teddy bear picnic (an outdoor gathering where children bring their stuffed bears). But when most people say “teddy,” they mean that classic stuffed bear that's been a childhood companion for over a century, often becoming a treasured keepsake that parents save long after their children grow up.