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bearing

noun
bear·​ing | \ ˈber-iŋ 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

 These are not even desperate blind flings from the realization of the hopeless situation in our society; these are just senseless inertial impulses of a decrepit organism that has lost its bearing. — Anatoly Chernyaev, Harper's magazine, "Cogs of War," 19 Aug. 2019 Organizations of mayors and associations of physicians have issued recommendations that give us our bearings. — Patty Limerick, The Denver Post, "Limerick: We yearn to help after human tragedies, and there is a way," 16 Aug. 2019 Colorado leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon got his bearings. — Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros rout Rockies, pick up Zack Greinke in his debut," 6 Aug. 2019 His decision will probably have a bearing on other cases that Grundei, Wild and their colleagues played a role in. — Sarah Horner, Twin Cities, "Judge may grant new trial in assault case after defense says Ramsey County Attorney’s Office didn’t share information," 2 Aug. 2019 The trade relationship between the world’s two biggest economies has a bearing on the Federal Reserve, which has hinted at—but not committed to—lowering interest rates. — Akane Otani, WSJ, "As Stocks Hover Near Records, Growth Worries Linger," 30 June 2019 Pang Zhongying, a professor at Renmin University's School of International Studies in Beijing, said Xi and Kim's discussions will likely have a bearing on the content of meetings at the G-20 summit. — Christopher Bodeen, Fox News, "Xi's NKorea visit a chance to strengthen ties, influence US," 20 June 2019 Walcott was aware of this development and on Sept. 23, before the constable could find his bearings, started the plane towards the runway. — Abeer Kapoor, Quartz India, "The fascinating story of an American smuggler’s daring escapades in 1960s India," 19 June 2019 Powell kept a stiff upper lip when asked by a reporter about Trump’s influence, saying that political considerations have no bearing on the Fed’s decision. — Los Angeles Times, "Fed cuts interest rate for first time since 2008, adopting risky new strategy," 31 July 2019

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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