bearing
12 synonyms for bearing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A mechanical part that supports a moving component and reduces friction between surfaces.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use bearing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
take a bearing
lose one's bearings
have no bearing on
ball bearing
Etymology
From Middle English bering, formed from bear + -ing, originally meaning "carrying" or "producing (fruit)."
Full origin of bearing →Frequently asked questions
What does “bearing” mean?
The word “bearing” means a mechanical part that supports a moving component and reduces friction between surfaces. In plain terms, depending on context: a mechanical part, a compass direction, someone's manner, or relevance to a topic.
How do you pronounce “bearing”?
“Bearing” is pronounced BEH-uh-rihng (/ˈbɛɹɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bearing” in a sentence?
Here is “bearing” used in a sentence: “The wheel bearing needed replacing after the squeaking got worse.”
What part of speech is “bearing”?
“Bearing” is a noun.
Where does the word “bearing” come from?
The word “bearing” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bering, formed from bear + -ing, originally meaning "carrying" or "producing (fruit).".
Is “bearing” a common word?
“Bearing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bearing” have?
“Bearing” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mechanical part that supports a moving component and reduces friction between surfaces.
What is the difference between a "bearing" and a "heading"?
In navigation, a bearing is the angle to a specific point measured relative to north, while a heading is the direction in which a vehicle or vessel is actually pointing. You take a bearing to a landmark; you steer on a heading.
What is the difference between a "ball bearing" and a "bearing"?
A "bearing" is any mechanical part that supports a moving component and reduces friction, while a "ball bearing" is a specific type that uses small rolling balls to do this. A ball bearing is one kind of bearing.
