bearing

noun

bear·​ing ˈber-iŋ 

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

2

a

: 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

3

a

: 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

6

a

: 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 question

They 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

• applicability
• connection
• materiality
• pertinence
• relevance
• relevancy

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

That’s something the Vikings can build on heading into a matchup with the Rams. Justin Jefferson couldn’t get rolling Shockingly, star receiver Justin Jefferson had a minimal impact for the Vikings, aside from a 31-yard reception that ended up having no bearing on the outcome. —Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2025

Similarly, geographical restrictions or exclusive rights can have a bearing on how attractive a buyer finds your business. —Lien De Pau, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

But Lord Cromwell insists that his aristocratic lineage has little bearing on his work as a public servant in the halls of Westminster. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024

That had zero bearing on the legacy of each series or the entertainment value of the matchups. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bearing

• ball bearing
• bearing false witness
• bearing rein
• beyond bearing
• have bearing on
• past bearing
• roller bearing
• side bearing
• weight-bearing

Kids Definition

bearing

noun

bear·​ing

ˈba(ə)r-iŋ,

ˈbe(ə)r-

1

: the manner in which one carries or conducts oneself

2

: a machine part in which another turns or slides

3

a

: the position or direction of one point with respect to another or to the compass

b

: a calculating of position

take a bearing

c

plural : understanding of one's location or situation

lost their bearings

4

: connection sense 2

personal feelings had no bearing on our decision

Medical Definition

bearing

noun

bear·​ing

: an object, surface, or point that supports