1. the symbol used by the US Forest Service to help prevent forest fires. He is a friendly bear wearing a Forest Service hat and is used on posters and television advertisements with the message ‘Only you can prevent forest fires.’
2. ( also Smokey Bear , Smokey ) an informal US name for a member of the motorway/freeway police, so called because the hats they wear in some states are similar to the one worn by Smokey the Bear.