weight-bearing

noun

weight-bear·​ing ˈwāt-ˌber-iŋ 

: the act or state of supporting or withstanding the weight of something (such as a building or the body)

The involved bones are deformed by the stress of weight-bearing or even by the normal pull of attached muscles.

—Sue Rodwell Williams

If Iguanodon walked on all fours, then the hand and wrist ought to be adapted for weight-bearing.

—Pat Shipman

—usually used before another noun

For bones, weight-bearing activities like walking, running and weight lifting are especially important.

—Claudia Kalb

An athlete who suffers an injury to a major weight-bearing joint, such as the hip or knee, is five to seven times more likely to develop degenerative arthritis than an average member of the population.

—William Nack

Engineers typically use strain gauges to measure the stresses on automobile parts, chains, bridges and other weight-bearing objects.

—Discover

… structural steel, elevators and telephones were emancipating urban architecture from limits imposed by the weight-bearing capacity of stone walls and the stair-climbing endurance of people.

—George F. Will

Examples of weight-bearing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Push-ups and sit-ups—these weight-bearing exercises are accessible and very functional. —Violeta Valdés, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2025

A number of studies have supported the use of weight-bearing and resistance training in general to prevent bone loss and promote bone health. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

An active lifestyle that includes weight-bearing exercises helps stimulate bone turnover, an essential part of retaining healthy bone mass. —Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 4 June 2025

Additional risk factors for osteoporosis include: Genetics, being over the age of 50, drinking alcohol, taking certain medications, smoking and not getting enough weight-bearing exercise, per the FDA. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025

But more recent studies of healing hips suggest that early weight-bearing decreases mortality rates, and doctors have altered their practices. —Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025

Matheny points out that weight-bearing exercises are important for bone health. —Korin Miller, Outside Online, 17 Sep. 2024

These Wrist Buddy Yoga Blocks are doctor-designed to give your wrists more support and the best comfort for weight-bearing poses. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 21 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for weight-bearing

• childbearing
• comparing
• declaring
• despairing
• forbearing
• impairing
• preparing
• repairing
• ridesharing
• seafaring
• timesharing
• uncaring