bearer

noun

bear·​er ˈber-ər How to pronounce bearer (audio)
Synonyms of bearernext
: one that bears: such as
a
: porter sense 1
b
: a plant yielding fruit
c
: pallbearer
d
: one holding a check, draft, bond, or other order for payment especially if marked payable to bearer
—often used attributively
bearer bonds

Examples of bearer in a Sentence

the bearer of a U.S. passport The check was marked “payable to bearer.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And down on the court at what is now M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion on campus or PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, there must be standard bearers, the current flesh and heartbeat and faces of UConn basketball. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026 Erik’s older brother, Christian, officiated, while his younger brother, Ryan, served as the ring bearer. — Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 Being the flag bearer for Australia at the 2018 games [in Pyeongchang, South Korea] was such a huge honor. — Asa Canty, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2026 Victoria wore a Vera Wang silk pleated ballgown in a champagne hue featuring a sculptural strapless neckline and a 20-foot train, and their son Brooklyn, now 27, was their ring bearer. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bearer

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bearer was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing bearer

Rhymes for bearer

See All Rhymes for bearer

Browse Nearby Words

beared
bearer
bear family
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bearer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bearer. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bearer

noun
bear·​er ˈbar-ər How to pronounce bearer (audio)
ˈber-
1
: someone or something that bears, supports, or carries
2
: a person holding a check or order for payment

Legal Definition

bearer

1 of 2 noun
bear·​er ˈbar-ər How to pronounce bearer (audio)
: a person holding a check, draft, or other negotiable instrument for payment especially marked payable to bearer or having a blank endorsement

bearer

2 of 2 adjective
: freely transferable by the holder with or without endorsement and with full title passing by delivery to the transferee: as
a
: not having a registered owner
b
: not designating a specific payee
a bearer instrument
bearer checks
compare order

More from Merriam-Webster on bearer

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bearer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bearer

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