bearer

noun

bear·​er ˈber-ər 

: one that bears: such as

a

: porter sense 1

b

: a plant yielding fruit

c

: pallbearer

d

: one holding a check, draft, bond, or other order for payment especially if marked payable to bearer

—often used attributively

bearer bonds

Examples of bearer in a Sentence

the bearer of a U.S. passport

The check was marked “payable to bearer.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Duncan, along with the rest of the flag bearers, is a patient at Cook Children's. — Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 8 June 2026

Even with dedicated stretcher bearers, that's a lot of personnel. — David Szondy june 09, New Atlas, 9 June 2026

The bride wore a custom corset and $17,000 headpiece, and the pair's four-month-old son Brooklyn served as ring bearer. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

In fact, in the Seventies, just about everyone was bidding to be the bearer of the Spirit of ’76, from Jimmy Carter to the rock band Kiss. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bearer

• color-bearer
• live-bearer
• ring bearer
• standard-bearer

Rhymes for bearer

• carer
• error
• fairer
• ferrer
• rarer
• sharer
• terror
• wearer
• cupbearer
• declarer
• preparer
• repairer

Kids Definition

bearer

noun

bear·​er ˈbar-ər 

ˈber-

1

: someone or something that bears, supports, or carries

2

: a person holding a check or order for payment

Legal Definition

bearer

1 of 2 noun

bear·​er ˈbar-ər 

: a person holding a check, draft, or other negotiable instrument for payment especially marked payable to bearer or having a blank endorsement

bearer

2 of 2 adjective

: freely transferable by the holder with or without endorsement and with full title passing by delivery to the transferee: as

a

: not having a registered owner

b

: not designating a specific payee

a bearer instrument

bearer checks

compare order