bearing

bear-ing · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person's way of standing, moving, or behaving; demeanor.

  2. 2.

    Relevance or relation to something.

  3. 3.

    [navigation]The direction or position of something relative to a fixed point.

  4. 4.

    [mechanics]A part of a machine that supports a rotating or sliding shaft.

  5. 5.

    [heraldry]A device or figure on a coat of arms.

  6. 6.

    Carrying; supporting; enduring.

Forms

plural: bearings

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    lose one's bearings — Become disoriented.
  • •
    get one's bearings — Orient oneself; understand a situation.
  • •
    have a bearing on — Be relevant to.
  • •
    beyond bearing — Unbearable.
  • •
    ball bearing — A type of rolling-element bearing.

Related words

See also: bear, direction, posture
Synonyms: demeanor, direction, posture, relevance

Etymology

From Old English beran ("to bear") + -ing.