What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Bearing vs Reference - What's the difference?

bearing | reference | Synonyms |

Bearing is a synonym of reference.


As an adjective bearing

is of a beam, column, or other device, carrying weight or load.

As a noun bearing

is a mechanical device that supports another part and/or reduces friction.

As a verb bearing

is .

bearing

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Of a beam, column, or other device, carrying weight or load.
  • That's a bearing wall.

    Derived terms

    * -bearing

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A mechanical device that supports another part and/or reduces friction.
  • (navigation, nautical) The horizontal angle between the direction of an object and another object, or between it and that of true north; a heading or direction.
  • Relevance; a relationship or connection.
  • That has no bearing on this issue.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • But of this frame, the bearings and the ties, / The strong connections, nice dependencies.
  • One's posture, demeanor, or manner.
  • She walks with a confident, self-assured bearing .
  • * Shakespeare
  • I know him by his bearing .
  • (in the plural) Direction or relative position.
  • (architecture) That part of any member of a building which rests upon its supports.
  • A lintel or beam may have four inches of bearing upon the wall.
  • (architecture) The portion of a support on which anything rests.
  • (architecture, proscribed) The unsupported span.
  • The beam has twenty feet of bearing between its supports.
  • (heraldry) Any single emblem or charge in an escutcheon or coat of arms.
  • * Thackeray
  • A carriage covered with armorial bearings .

    Derived terms

    (terms derived from bearing) * ball bearing * find one’s bearings * get one’s bearings * inline bearing * inline hockey bearing * inline skate bearing, in-line skate bearing * magnetic bearing * lose one’s bearings * quad roller skate bearing * roller bearing * rollerblade bearing * skate bearing * skateboard bearing * true bearing

    See also

    * ABEC

    Verb

    (head)
  • Anagrams

    * *

    reference

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A relationship or relation ((to) something).
  • *, III.1.3:
  • all these are far more eminent and great, when they shall proceed from a sanctified spirit, that hath a true touch of religion and a reference to God.
  • A measurement one can compare to.
  • Information about a person, provided by someone (a referee) with whom they are well acquainted
  • A reference work.
  • (semantics) A relation between objects in which one object designates, or acts as a means by which to connect to or link to, another object.
  • (academic writing) A short written identification of a previously published work which is used as a source for a text.
  • (academic writing) A previously published written work thus indicated; a source.
  • (programming) An object containing information which refers to data stored elsewhere, as opposed to containing the data itself.
  • (programming, character entity) A special sequence used to represent complex characters in a web page such as ™ or €.
  • (obsolete) appeal
  • * Shakespeare
  • Make your full reference .

    Derived terms

    * * * * * * * *

    See also

    * sense

    Verb

    (referenc)
  • to refer to, to make reference to, to cite
  • Reference the dictionary for word meanings.
  • to mention
  • Usage notes

    * Some authorities object to the use of reference as a verb, preferring "refer to" or "cite".