One who is the holder or possessor of an instrument that is negotiable—for example, a check, a draft, or a note—and upon which a specific payee is not designated.
A negotiable instrument that is payable to "bearer" or to "cash" or to "the order of cash," that is, not naming a payee, is a bearer instrument, and is called "bearer" paper.
n. anyone holding something, such as a check, promissory note, bank draft, or bond. This becomes important when the document (generally called a "negotiable instrument") states it is "payable to bearer," which means whoever holds this paper it can receive the funds due on it.
BEARER. One who bears or carries a thing.
2. If a bill or note be made payable to bearer, it will pass by
delivery only, without endorsement; and whoever fairly acquires a right to
it, may maintain an action against the drawer or acceptor.
3. It has been decided that the bearer of a bank note, payable to
bearer, is not an assignee of a chose in action within the 11th section of
the judiciary act of, 1789, c. 20, limiting the jurisdiction of the circuit
court. 3 Mason, R. 308.
4. Bills payable to bearer are contra-distinguished from those payable
to order, which can be transferred only by endorsement and delivery.
5. Bills payable to fictitious payees, are considered as bills payable
to, bearer.