bearing wall

American  

noun

1. any of the walls supporting a floor or the roof of a building.

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Etymology

Origin of bearing wall

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

You’re watching the removal of all of his bearing walls and all of his anchoring chains.

From Los Angeles Times

Another alteration was the removal or replacement of a bearing wall, which had been included in the original design of the building but disappeared later.

From BBC

The plan calls for wooden joists and these products don’t allow holes to be drilled in specific locations close to where they rest on a bearing wall.

From Seattle Times

Besides inadequate and improperly installed shoring, the report found that engineers and masonry contractors didn’t realize the wall they were repairing was a structural bearing wall.

From Seattle Times

Chief Building Official Trishna Pradhan signs a notice of public hazard that says the southwest wall “has been gradually falling” and there is “visible crumbling of this exterior load bearing wall under the support beam.”

From Seattle Times