: one that bears: such as
a
b
: a plant yielding fruit
c
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
As the city rebuilt over the last 20 years, Black businesses and culture bearers remain the foundation of what makes New Orleans extraordinary.
—
Essence, 6 June 2025
How many problems festered because no one wanted to be the bearer of bad news?
—Margie Warrell, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Like most water bearers, Charlotte does not veer far from her beliefs and aims to convince people to stand on her soapbox.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 28 May 2025
The President’s unique flavor of grievance prompts him to see the U.S. economy as a perpetual victim of economic bullies and the bearer of bad actors.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bearer
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Essence, 6 June 2025
How many problems festered because no one wanted to be the bearer of bad news?
—Margie Warrell, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Like most water bearers, Charlotte does not veer far from her beliefs and aims to convince people to stand on her soapbox.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 28 May 2025
The President’s unique flavor of grievance prompts him to see the U.S. economy as a perpetual victim of economic bullies and the bearer of bad actors.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bearer
Cite this Entry
“Bearer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bearer. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bearer
noun
bear·er
ˈbar-ər 
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
: 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
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