bearing

noun

bear·​ing ˈber-iŋ How to pronounce bearing (audio)
1
: the manner in which one behaves or comports oneself : the manner in which one bears (see bear entry 2 sense 2f) oneself
a man of dignified bearing
… a confident and cheerful bearing.Sheridan LeFanu
2
a
: the act, power, or time of bringing forth offspring or fruit
a woman past bearing
b
: a product of bearing : crop
three bearings in a year
3
a
: an object, surface, or point that supports
b
: a machine part in which another part (such as a journal or pin) turns or slides
4
heraldry : a figure borne on a heraldic field (see field entry 1 sense 3c)
The lion is a common bearing.
5
6
a
: the situation or horizontal direction of one point with respect to another or to the compass
on a northerly bearing
b
: a determination of position
take a bearing
c
bearings plural : comprehension of one's position, environment, or situation
The ship lost its bearings in the fog.
helping new employees get their bearings
d
: relation, connection
often used with on
facts that have a direct bearing on the question
They assured us that their personal feelings had no bearing on their decision.
also : purport
the bearing of that remark
7
: the part of a structural member that rests on its supports
a beam with 4 inches of bearing upon the wall
Choose the Right Synonym for bearing

bearing, deportment, demeanor, mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation of personality or attitude.

bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture.

a woman of regal bearing

deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training.

your deportment was atrocious

demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior.

the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter

mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor.

a mien of supreme self-satisfaction

manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others.

the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders

carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking.

the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

Examples of bearing in a Sentence

a man of military bearing these new facts have some bearing on the case
Recent Examples on the Web The Zero Noise system connecting shaft lines to thrust bearings rather than the gear box has mechanical advantages but also minimizes noise and vibration. Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Did that have any bearing on storylines going forward? Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024 The first step with any new MGMT album is finding your bearings. Alex Swhear, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 With his stoic but noble bearing, his calm manner and his proficiency at whatever task awaits him, Hirayama could be mistaken for a strictly aspirational hero — a walking, if barely talking embodiment of tranquility and enlightenment. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2024 The skates come stocked with freestyle wheels and slalom bearings, though the frames are removable. Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2024 The event comes, however, as the state Republican Party has been rocked by controversy as to who is its top official, though it's not known whether that could have a bearing on the March 2 convention. Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 20 Jan. 2024 According to experts, the Supreme Court’s ruling on race in college admissions has no legal bearing on Title VII, which focuses on matters of employment and workplace discrimination. Robert Sheen, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 The poster itself shows a pair of hands holding a roll of white ribbon bearing numbers. Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bearing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bearing was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bearing

Cite this Entry

“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bearing. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bearing

noun
bear·​ing
ˈba(ə)r-iŋ,
ˈbe(ə)r-
1
: the manner in which one carries or conducts oneself
2
: a machine part in which another turns or slides
3
a
: the position or direction of one point with respect to another or to the compass
b
: a calculating of position
take a bearing
c
plural : understanding of one's location or situation
lost their bearings
4
: connection sense 2
personal feelings had no bearing on our decision

Medical Definition

bearing

noun
bear·​ing
: an object, surface, or point that supports

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