bearing

[ bair-ing ]

noun

1. the manner in which one conducts or carries oneself, including posture and gestures:

   a man of dignified bearing.

   Synonyms: conduct, behavior, demeanor, mien, carriage

2. the act, capability, or period of producing or bringing forth:

   a tree past bearing.

3. something that is produced; a crop.
4. the act of enduring or capacity to endure.
5. reference or relation (usually followed by on ):

   It has some bearing on the problem.

   Synonyms: application, dependency, connection

6. Architecture.
   1. a supporting part of a structure.
   2. the area of contact between a bearing member, as a beam, and a pier, wall, or other underlying support.
7. Machinery. the support and guide for a rotating, oscillating, or sliding shaft, pivot, or wheel.
8. Often bearings. direction or relative position:

   The pilot radioed his bearings.

   Synonyms: aim, course

9. Surveying. a horizontal direction expressed in degrees east or west of a true or magnetic north or south direction.
10. Heraldry. any single device on an escutcheon; charge.

bearing

/ ˈbɛərɪŋ /

noun

1. a support, guide, or locating piece for a rotating or reciprocating mechanical part
2. foll byon or upon relevance (to)

   it has no bearing on this problem

3. a person's general social conduct, esp in manners, dress, and behaviour
4. 1. the act, period, or capability of producing fruit or young
   2. an amount produced; yield
5. the part of a beam or lintel that rests on a support
6. anything that carries weight or acts as a support
7. the angular direction of a line, point, or course measured from true north or south ( true bearing ), magnetic north or south ( magnetic bearing ), or one's own position
8. usually plural the position or direction, as of a ship, fixed with reference to two or more known points
9. usually plural a sense of one's relative position or situation; orientation (esp in the phrases lose , get , or take one's bearings )
10. heraldry
    1. a device or emblem on a heraldic shield; charge
    2. another name for coat of arms

Other Word Forms

• un·bearing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bearing¹

First recorded in 1200–50, bearing is from the Middle English word beryng. See bear ¹, -ing ¹

Synonym Study

See manner ¹.

Example Sentences

She's currently visiting Edinburgh, months ahead of curtain up, in order to get her bearings.

From BBC

Ordinary Sudanese people are bearing the brunt of this unnecessary war.

From BBC

“California’s farmers and ranchers are at significant risk of bearing the brunt of any potential retaliatory actions resulting from the broad imposition of global tariffs,” said Shannon Douglass, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

From Los Angeles Times

With the threat of tariff-fuelled price hikes on smartphones bearing down, he quickly called his phone company for a new one.

From BBC

Civilians were bearing the brunt of a relentless pursuit of military objectives, she added, being displaced multiple times, and their homes reduced to rubble.

From BBC

Related Words

• demeanor
• manner