| Verb | 1. | bear down - exert a force with a heavy weight; "The snow bore down on the roof" |
| 2. | bear down - to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle; "he saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork" Synonyms: charge | |
| 3. | bear down - contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery Synonyms: overbear | |
| 4. | bear down - exert full strength; "The pitcher bore down" | |
| 5. | bear down - pay special attention to; "The lectures bore down on the political background" | |
| 6. | bear down - exert a force or cause a strain upon; "This tax bears down on the lower middle class" |