bearing

10 definitions • 13 examples

a part of a machine that supports another part that turns around:

a wheel bearing

a roller bearing

to discover your exact position:

The road system was so complicated that we had to stop to get our bearings several times.

to succeed in becoming familiar with a new situation:

It takes a while to get your bearings when you start a new job.

If you lose your bearings, you do not know where you are:

They lost their bearings in the dark.

an exact position, measured clockwise (= to the right) from north. Bearings are given as three numbers:

The campsite is 5 miles away from here on a bearing of 045 degrees.

The yachtsman took a bearing on (= found his position by using) the lighthouse.

to have an influence on something or a relationship to something:

What you decide now could have a considerable bearing on your future.

someone's way of moving and behaving:

She had a proud, distinguished bearing.

supporting or holding the stated thing:

a load-bearing wall

ore-bearing rocks

connection to or influence on a result:

The fact that he was ordered to stand trial has no bearing on whether he’ll be found guilty.

the particular way you find it natural to hold your body or the way you appear to other people:

She was an imposing attorney with a dignified bearing.