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
Sheridan LeFanu2
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.
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.
7
: the part of a structural member that rests on its supports
a beam with 4 inches of bearing upon the wall
Synonyms
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
Most of the runs allow for riders to catch their bearings before descending the trails—not just straight drop ins.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024
On Thursday, Smith filed a response to Trump's motion, urging U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the election subversion case, to find that Trump's motion had been filed after a deadline and that the opinions of neither Thomas nor Cannon should have any bearing on the case.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Morrissey tried to argue the judge’s actions were too severe because the rounds had no bearing on Baldwin’s case.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
His suggestion, limit university statements to issues and events that have direct bearing on the university.
—David Rosowsky, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bearing 
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Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024
On Thursday, Smith filed a response to Trump's motion, urging U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the election subversion case, to find that Trump's motion had been filed after a deadline and that the opinions of neither Thomas nor Cannon should have any bearing on the case.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Morrissey tried to argue the judge’s actions were too severe because the rounds had no bearing on Baldwin’s case.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
His suggestion, limit university statements to issues and events that have direct bearing on the university.
—David Rosowsky, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bearing
Dictionary Entries Near bearing
Cite this Entry
“Bearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bearing. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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