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bearing

noun
bear·​ing | \ ˈber-iÅ‹ How to pronounce bearing (audio) \

Definition of bearing

1 : the manner in which one behaves or comports oneself : the manner in which one bears (see bear entry 2 sense 2f) oneself a man of dignified bearing … a confident and cheerful bearing.— Sheridan LeFanu
2a : the act, power, or time of bringing forth offspring or fruit a woman past bearing
b : a product of bearing : crop three bearings in a year
3a : an object, surface, or point that supports
b : a machine part in which another part (such as a journal or pin) turns or slides
4 heraldry : a figure borne on a heraldic field (see field entry 1 sense 3c) The lion is a common bearing.
5 : pressure, thrust
6a : the situation or horizontal direction of one point with respect to another or to the compass on a northerly bearing
b : a determination of position take a bearing
c bearings plural : comprehension of one's position, environment, or situation The ship lost its bearings in the fog. helping new employees get their bearings
d : relation, connection —often used with on facts that have a direct bearing on the questionThey assured us that their personal feelings had no bearing on their decision. also : purport the bearing of that remark
7 : the part of a structural member that rests on its supports a beam with 4 inches of bearing upon the wall
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about bearing

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Choose the Right Synonym for bearing

bearing, deportment, demeanor, mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation of personality or attitude. bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture. a woman of regal bearing deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training. your deportment was atrocious demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior. the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor. a mien of supreme self-satisfaction manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others. the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking. the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

Examples of bearing in a Sentence

a man of military bearing these new facts have some bearing on the case

Recent Examples on the Web

 Small pieces of wood are laminated and compressed to create large, solid panels that can serve as load-bearing beams, panels and posts. — Nancy Sarnoff, Houston Chronicle, "Rice University awarded grant for 'mass timber' building on campus," 4 Sep. 2019 County engineer Bob Frances said much of the damage appeared cosmetic and non-load-bearing. — Lillian Reed, baltimoresun.com, "Columbia explosion aftermath: Destruction of some businesses leaves owners devastated," 26 Aug. 2019 June is a handmaid in a dystopian theocracy that uses fertile women as commodities for child-bearing. — Teghan Simonton, USA Today, "The Handmaid's Tale rides the political wave around women's rights — and contributes.," 13 Aug. 2019 The Democratic National Committee set the rules, trying to be inclusive without surpassing the weight-bearing load of the television soundstage. — Los Angeles Times, "What time is the July Democratic presidential debate this week and who will be on stage?," 29 July 2019 Despite predictions from tech moguls and CEOs about the skies eventually being full of package-bearing quadcopters, drone delivery is still in its nascent stages. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "UPS seeks government approval for ‘advanced’ drone delivery service," 23 July 2019 Inayat Ullah, a local forensics expert, said the female attacker set off 7 kilograms (15 pounds) of explosives packed with nails and ball-bearings. — Ishtiaq Mahsud, BostonGlobe.com, "Suicide bomber strikes hospital in Pakistan, 9 killed," 21 July 2019 But this week, the multi-stomached, headgear-bearing mammals are finally getting their due. — Megan Molteni, WIRED, "Wildebeest! Okapi! Giraffe! Ibex! Come Peruse Their Genomes," 20 June 2019 Corporations looking to promote their brands are turning to logo-bearing cookies instead of pens and stress balls. — Alison Roman, The Seattle Times, "‘We are all connected by cookies’: A tribe with a bond stronger than royal icing," 12 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bearing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of bearing

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for bearing

bearing

noun
How to pronounce bearing (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of bearing

formal : the way in which a person moves, stands, or behaves
formal : a relation or connection
technical : a machine part in which another part turns or slides

See the full definition for bearing in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bearing

noun
bear·​ing | \ ˈber-ing\

Kids Definition of bearing

1 : the manner in which a person carries or conducts himself or herself a man of kingly bearing
2 : a part of a machine in which another part turns
3 : the position or direction of one point with respect to another or to the compass
4 : a determination of position take a bearing
5 bearings plural : understanding of position or situation I lost my bearings.
6 : a relation or connection Personal feelings had no bearing on our decision.

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