bearer

noun

bear·​er ˈber-ər How to pronounce bearer (audio)
: one that bears: such as
b
: a plant yielding fruit
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.
Moreover, assuming Newsom does run for president in 2028, both men will have made their political moves at a time when the Democratic party was rudderless and in need of a new standard bearer. Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 1 June 2025 And, sorry to be the bearer of even more bad news, the same applies to your smartphone PIN code. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 That makes one of the greatest films of all time, and the standard bearer of the French New Wave, ripe for discovery for a younger generation — and fresher still for the older ones well familiar with it. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2025 Few people realise that the $640 million in negotiable bearer bonds Hans so desperately wanted was needed to fund his vinyl addiction. Chris Haslam, Wired News, 23 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bearer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bearer. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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