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

With Hamstring Strain: ‘This Could Be Crucial’ Perhaps disturbingly, the launch of this new event suggests Infantino and FIFA may look at Concacaf as the standard bearer for how big tournaments should be hosted. —Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

This movie tells the story of an antiques dealer who comes into possession of a centuries-old artifact that latches on to its bearer, then grants him eternal life. —Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2025

Barkov is a standard bearer of sort for this franchise. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025

After her loss to Trump last year, most Democratic voters nationally will probably be looking for a different standard bearer. —George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025

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