: 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
Sure there’s the GA and VIP wristband wearers, plus the coveted artist band bracelets bearers.
—
Daniela Avila, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
There have been growing calls for new leadership in recent years, with critics arguing that the party's current standard bearers, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s, need to pass the torch to the next generation for the Democratic Party to remain competitive.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Patrick Smith/Getty Images For the Elite Eight in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the ACC has a Flagg bearer.
—Greg Echlin, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Just the one tear, sole bearer of so many great disappointments.
—Hélène Bessette, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bearer
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Daniela Avila, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
There have been growing calls for new leadership in recent years, with critics arguing that the party's current standard bearers, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s, need to pass the torch to the next generation for the Democratic Party to remain competitive.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Patrick Smith/Getty Images For the Elite Eight in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the ACC has a Flagg bearer.
—Greg Echlin, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Just the one tear, sole bearer of so many great disappointments.
—Hélène Bessette, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 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 22 Apr. 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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