bearing

Your understanding of where you are or how you fit into a new situation.

• I stopped to get my bearings.
• She lost her bearings in the dark.
• Give him time to find his bearings in the new job.

Similar words: orientation

Common phrases: get your bearing, lose your bearing

A machine part that supports a moving part and helps it move smoothly.

• The wheel bearing needs replacing.
• Worn bearings can make the motor noisy.
• He put grease on the bearing.

Common phrases: ball bearing, wheel bearing

Carrying or producing the thing named before it.

• A gift-bearing visitor stood at the door.
• We planted several fruit-bearing trees.
• Pollen-bearing flowers attract bees.

How to use it: something-bearing + noun (Seed-bearing plants grew beside the path.)

Similar words: carrying

Common phrases: gift bearing visitor, fruit bearing tree

Supporting the weight of a building or another structure.

• This is a bearing wall.
• The engineer checked every bearing column.
• Do not remove that bearing beam.

Similar words: load-bearing

Common phrases: bearing wall, bearing column