Meaning & use
bearing
Relevance or connection to a matter under discussion, or a person's manner of standing and moving.
See it in a sentence
Her previous job in finance had no bearing on the design position she was applying for.
The old general still carried himself with the proud bearing of a career soldier.
A note on using this word
Bearing meaning relevance is usually used with on, as in have a bearing on something, and should not be confused with the mechanical part of the same name.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. noun
A mechanical part that supports and reduces friction between moving parts, such as a rotating shaft.
The mechanic replaced a worn bearing that was causing the wheel to squeal loudly.
3. noun
The direction of one point relative to another, especially as measured by compass.
The sailor checked his compass to confirm the correct bearing toward the harbor.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bearing”, then compare your use with the examples above.