: one that bears: such as
a
b
: a plant yielding fruit
c
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
So Walker still hasn’t lost her status as an R&B/pop crossover torch-bearer.
—
Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2025
Richard enjoys being one of the flag bearers for a new era of Gator players in the NBA.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
The collaboration with Daley — the professional diver, five-time Olympic medalist, Paris 2024 flag bearer, and expert knitter — adds a patriotic, and colorful, edge to the collection.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025
The star of Lynne Ramsey's new film (which is looking like a strong contender in the 2026 Oscars race) has become a standard bearer for those who defend bangs tooth and nail.
—Pamela Vázquez, Glamour, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bearer
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Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2025
Richard enjoys being one of the flag bearers for a new era of Gator players in the NBA.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
The collaboration with Daley — the professional diver, five-time Olympic medalist, Paris 2024 flag bearer, and expert knitter — adds a patriotic, and colorful, edge to the collection.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025
The star of Lynne Ramsey's new film (which is looking like a strong contender in the 2026 Oscars race) has become a standard bearer for those who defend bangs tooth and nail.
—Pamela Vázquez, Glamour, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bearer
Cite this Entry
“Bearer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bearer. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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