bearing: Meaning and Definition of

bear•ing

Pronunciation: (bâr'ing), [key]
— n.
  1. the manner in which one conducts or carries oneself, including posture and gestures: a man of dignified bearing.
  2. the act, capability, or period of producing or bringing forth: a tree past bearing.
  3. something that is produced; a crop.
  4. the act of enduring or capacity to endure.
  5. reference or relation (usually fol. by on): It has some bearing on the problem.
    1. a supporting part of a structure.
    2. the area of contact between a bearing member, as a beam, and a pier, wall, or other underlying support.
  6. the support and guide for a rotating, oscillating, or sliding shaft, pivot, or wheel.
  7. Often,direction or relative position: The pilot radioed his bearings.
  8. a horizontal direction expressed in degrees east or west of a true or magnetic north or south direction.
  9. any single device on an escutcheon; charge.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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