: 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
With Hamstring Strain: ‘This Could Be Crucial’ Perhaps disturbingly, the launch of this new event suggests Infantino and FIFA may look at Concacaf as the standard bearer for how big tournaments should be hosted.
—
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
This movie tells the story of an antiques dealer who comes into possession of a centuries-old artifact that latches on to its bearer, then grants him eternal life.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2025
Barkov is a standard bearer of sort for this franchise.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
After her loss to Trump last year, most Democratic voters nationally will probably be looking for a different standard bearer.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bearer
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Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
This movie tells the story of an antiques dealer who comes into possession of a centuries-old artifact that latches on to its bearer, then grants him eternal life.
—Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2025
Barkov is a standard bearer of sort for this franchise.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
After her loss to Trump last year, most Democratic voters nationally will probably be looking for a different standard bearer.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 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 21 May. 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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