WEAR, river, Durham, England, rising in the Pennine chain, and traversing a valley of 6o m. to the North Sea. Through a narrow and picturesque valley, the stream flows to Bishop Auck land, then meanders past the bold peninsula which bears the cathedral of Durham. Later the river becomes navigable, carry ing a great traffic in coal, and having its banks lined with factories. At the mouth is Sunderland (q.v.).