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

Also in the running was a third-party candidate, Raymond Haight, the standard bearer for both the Progressive Party and the Commonwealth Party, who positioned himself as a more moderate reformist alternative. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

The difference is that All-Clad is the standard bearer for professional-quality stainless-steel cookware, with a reputation for longevity backed by decades of use in tens of thousands of kitchens across the country. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Bournemouth and Brentford continue to embrace the chaos These two are the flag-bearers for the more chaotic, end-to-end brand of football that has taken root in the Premier League in recent years. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The Muppet Show has become the unlikely flag bearer for The Disney Company at the 2026 Emmy Awards. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Sep. 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