bearing
/ˈbeərɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɛrɪŋ] /ˈberɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɛrɪŋ] /ˈber-iŋ/ (ame, mw)
bearing — noun
- bearingsingular
- bearingsplural
1. a metal or plastic part in a machine that lets one moving piece slide or rotate
a metal or plastic part in a machine that lets one moving piece slide or rotate against another piece with less friction
The mechanic replaced the worn wheel bearing on Astrid's car.
collocation: wheel bearing
Ball bearings help the wheels of a skateboard spin smoothly.
collocation: ball bearing
Haruto greased the bearings in the factory machine every morning.
The washing machine made a loud noise when the drum bearing failed.
- bushing
a simpler type of bearing, usually a fixed metal sleeve
文法句型
bearings (plural) / a bearing (singular)
用法筆記
In mechanical contexts, 'bearings' is usually plural. Common types include ball bearings, roller bearings, and wheel bearings.
常見錯誤
2. to find out where you are, especially by looking at familiar landmarks, a map, o
to find out where you are, especially by looking at familiar landmarks, a map, or a compass
Theo stopped on the hill to get his bearings before choosing a path.
phrase: get (one's) bearings
After the fog cleared, the hikers could finally find their bearings using the mountain peaks.
phrase: find (one's) bearings
The streets were so confusing that Bao used a map to get his bearings.
Lost in the old town, the tourists stopped at a cafe to get their bearings.
- orient oneself
more formal; often used in survival or navigation contexts
文法句型
get/find (one's) bearings
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'get your bearings' or 'find your bearings'. Never used as a standalone countable noun in this sense.
常見錯誤
3. to become comfortable in a new job, home, or situation by learning how things wo
to become comfortable in a new job, home, or situation by learning how things work and what is expected of you
Defne needed a few weeks to get her bearings at the new school.
figurative: get (one's) bearings in a new situation
New employees usually need about a month to get their bearings in this company.
The rookie teacher spent the first term getting his bearings in the classroom.
The merger left staff from both offices struggling to get their bearings under new management.
- settle in
less formal, more common in everyday speech
- find one's feet
idiomatic; refers to becoming confident in a new situation
文法句型
get (one's) bearings
用法筆記
This is a figurative extension of sense 2. Use this when the context is about adapting to a new role or environment, not about physical location. Distinguish from sense 2 by checking whether the situation involves literal navigation (sense 2) or adjustment to a new task or social setting (sense 3).
常見錯誤
4. to become confused about where you are or about what you should do next because
to become confused about where you are or about what you should do next because you have lost sight of familiar reference points
After the power cut, Jabari lost his bearings in the dark basement.
phrase: lose (one's) bearings (literal)
The research team lost their bearings when every sand dune looked the same.
Tamar completely lost her bearings during the debate and forgot what point she was making.
It is easy to lose your bearings in the old market's narrow alleys.
- get lost
more direct, everyday language
- lose one's way
can be literal or figurative like 'lose your bearings'
- get one's bearings
the opposite action — finding where you are or what to do
文法句型
lose (one's) bearings
用法筆記
The opposite of 'get/find your bearings'. Can be literal (not knowing where you are physically) or figurative (feeling mentally or socially lost). The literal meaning is more common.
常見錯誤
5. a direction measured in degrees clockwise from north, used in navigation, map-re
a direction measured in degrees clockwise from north, used in navigation, map-reading, and surveying to describe the position of one place relative to another
The campsite is about five miles from here on a bearing of 200 degrees.
pattern: on a bearing of [number] degrees
The captain took a bearing on the lighthouse to check the ship's position.
phrase: take a bearing on [landmark]
Gita plotted bearings from three landmarks to find her location on the map.
A bearing of 045 degrees means you are facing roughly northeast.
文法句型
a bearing of [number] degrees
take a bearing on [landmark]
用法筆記
Bearings are always given as three-digit numbers (e.g., 045°, 200°). In navigation, 'taking a bearing' means measuring the direction from your position to a visible landmark using a compass.
常見錯誤
6. how one thing is connected to or influences something else, especially when this
how one thing is connected to or influences something else, especially when this matters for decisions
The weather will have a significant bearing on whether the outdoor concert goes ahead.
phrase: have a bearing on [something]
Camila's finance experience had a direct bearing on her success as a business owner.
adjective modifier: direct bearing
The new evidence has little bearing on the question the court must decide.
The manager's decision about staff numbers will have a considerable bearing on next year's budget.
- relevance
how closely something relates to the matter at hand
- connection
a more general term for a link between two things
- impact
emphasises the effect rather than the relationship
- irrelevance
the state of having no connection to the matter
文法句型
have a bearing on [something]
用法筆記
Nearly always used in the phrase 'have a bearing on [something]'. The object is typically an abstract thing (a decision, result, question, outcome). Common adjective modifiers: 'direct', 'considerable', 'significant', 'little', 'no'.
常見錯誤
7. the way a person stands, moves, and conducts themselves, especially when it comm
the way a person stands, moves, and conducts themselves, especially when it communicates confidence, dignity, or social status
Sirin walked into the room with the calm, confident bearing of an experienced diplomat.
pattern: [adjective] bearing
Heloísa's proud bearing made her stand out even in a crowd of important guests.
The elderly professor had a scholarly bearing that commanded respect from his students.
The doorman observed everyone who entered, noting their bearing and clothing.
- demeanour
more common in British English; slightly broader (includes facial expression and attitude)
- posture
focuses specifically on the physical position of the body
- carriage
refers to how one holds their body while walking or standing
- presence
the overall impression of confidence and authority a person gives
文法句型
[adjective] bearing
用法筆記
Formal or literary register. Often modified by an adjective describing character or social class ('proud bearing', 'noble bearing', 'military bearing'). Refers to both physical posture and the overall impression a person gives. Not used in everyday casual conversation.