bearing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Technical (mechanical)
Quick answer
What does “bearing” mean?
The way in which someone conducts or carries themselves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The way in which someone conducts or carries themselves; one's posture or outward manner. Also, a structural component that supports rotation or sliding movement, reducing friction.
Relevance or relation to a situation; the capacity to tolerate something; the direction or position relative to a fixed point.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The mechanical term is universal. In naval/military contexts, 'bearing' (direction) is used identically.
Connotations
Both varieties equally use the abstract 'manner' sense and the mechanical sense.
Frequency
The abstract sense (e.g., 'dignified bearing') may be perceived as slightly more formal/literary in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “bearing” in a Sentence
have a/no bearing on + NPtake a bearing from + NPfind/get one's bearingsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bearing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tree is bearing fruit early this year.
- She bore the news with great courage.
American English
- The tree is bearing fruit early this year.
- He couldn't bear the thought of leaving.
adverb
British English
- They sailed bearing east for three hours.
- The road runs bearing north from the village.
American English
- We continued bearing west along the trail.
- Head bearing southeast from the landmark.
adjective
British English
- The wall is load-bearing.
- Bearing surfaces must be kept clean.
American English
- That's a load-bearing wall.
- Check the bearing surface for wear.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
This data has a direct bearing on our quarterly forecast.
Academic
The study's findings have a significant bearing on existing theories of cognitive development.
Everyday
I need a moment to get my bearings in this new neighbourhood.
Technical
The crankshaft is supported by three main bearings.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bearing”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bearing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bearing”
- Incorrect: *This is not bearing for our discussion. Correct: This has no bearing on our discussion.
- Incorrect preposition: *It bears on the topic. Correct: It has a bearing on the topic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Posture' refers specifically to the physical alignment of the body (e.g., sitting up straight). 'Bearing' is broader, encompassing posture along with overall manner, dignity, and presence.
The related verb is 'to bear' (carry, endure). 'Bearing' is the present participle or gerund of that verb (e.g., 'He is bearing a gift'). The noun 'bearing' is derived from this verb.
It means to use a compass to determine the direction (in degrees) from your current position to a visible landmark, or from a landmark to your position.
Etymologically, it's the same concept: something that 'bears' or carries a load. The mechanical bearing 'bears' the load of a rotating shaft, just as a person's bearing 'bears' or carries their presence and character.
The way in which someone conducts or carries themselves.
Bearing is usually formal, technical (mechanical) in register.
Bearing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbeərɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈberɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “get/find your bearings”
- “lose your bearings”
- “bring to bear”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A BEAR has a heavy, powerful BEARING. A BALL BEARING helps things BEAR a load and move.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION IS A BEARING (to find your bearings), RELEVANCE IS PHYSICAL CONNECTION (has a bearing on), CHARACTER IS POSTURE (noble bearing).
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The soldier had an erect bearing,' what does 'bearing' mean?