1
a
: the process, function, or power of perceiving sound
specifically
: the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli
b
: earshot
2
a
: opportunity to be heard, to present one's side of a case, or to be generally known or appreciated
b(1)
: a listening to arguments
(2)
: a preliminary examination in criminal procedure
c
: a session (as of a legislative committee) in which testimony is taken from witnesses
3
chiefly dialectal
: a piece of news
Examples of hearing in a Sentence
He suffered some loss of hearing in his right ear.
let's make sure she's out of hearing before I tell you what I got her for her birthday
Recent Examples on the Web
Judge Kevin Murphy set his preliminary hearing for June 12.
—
Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
The hearing came a day after Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched a lawsuit challenging a Biden administration plan to relieve student loan debt for some Americans, including at least 2,780 Missourians.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
The hearing also came a day after Education Department officials disclosed that at least 30% of FAFSA forms submitted so far this year could contain errors.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Zuckerberg directly addressed parents attending the hearing who said their children suffered harassment and exploitation on Meta’s apps.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
At the hearing, Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Ian Vance-Curzan, a member of the office’s homicide unit, said authorities found blood on the stairwell of Anderson’s house and on a comforter.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
Actor Jonathan Majors was ordered to complete a yearlong counseling program but avoided jail time for assaulting his ex-girlfriend during his sentencing hearing.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Victims will have the opportunity to provide statements at the sentencing hearing.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024
Penn’s president, Liz Magill, also resigned after the hearing, in which both gave narrow legal responses to whether calling for the genocide of Jews was against school policy.
—Janet Lorin, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2024
Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
The hearing came a day after Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched a lawsuit challenging a Biden administration plan to relieve student loan debt for some Americans, including at least 2,780 Missourians.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
The hearing also came a day after Education Department officials disclosed that at least 30% of FAFSA forms submitted so far this year could contain errors.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Zuckerberg directly addressed parents attending the hearing who said their children suffered harassment and exploitation on Meta’s apps.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
At the hearing, Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Ian Vance-Curzan, a member of the office’s homicide unit, said authorities found blood on the stairwell of Anderson’s house and on a comforter.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
Actor Jonathan Majors was ordered to complete a yearlong counseling program but avoided jail time for assaulting his ex-girlfriend during his sentencing hearing.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Victims will have the opportunity to provide statements at the sentencing hearing.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024
Penn’s president, Liz Magill, also resigned after the hearing, in which both gave narrow legal responses to whether calling for the genocide of Jews was against school policy.
—Janet Lorin, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hearing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of hearing was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing hearing
Dictionary Entries Near hearing
Cite this Entry
“Hearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hearing. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
hearing
noun
hear·ing
1
a
: the process or power of taking in sound : the sense by which a person hears
b
: the range within which the normal voice may be heard
stay within hearing
2
a
: a chance to present one's case
demanded a hearing
b
: a listening to arguments or testimony
c
: a session in which testimony is heard
held public hearings on the bill
Medical Definition
hearing
noun
hear·ing
: the act or power of apprehending sound
specifically
: one of the special senses of vertebrates that is concerned with the perception of sound, is mediated through the organ of Corti of the ear in mammals, is normally sensitive in humans to sound vibrations between 16 and 27,000 hertz but most receptive to those between 2000 and 5000 hertz, is conducted centrally by the cochlear branch of the auditory nerve, and is coordinated especially in the medial geniculate body
Legal Definition
hearing
noun
hear·ing
1
: a proceeding of relative formality at which evidence and arguments may be presented on the matter at issue to be decided by a person or body having decision-making authority compare trial
Note: The purpose of a hearing is to provide the opportunity for each side of a dispute, and especially a person who may be deprived of his or her rights, to present its position. A hearing, along with notice, is a fundamental part of procedural due process. Hearings are also held, as for example by a legislature or an administrative agency, for the purpose of gathering information and hearing the testimony of witnesses.
—
administrative hearing
: a hearing conducted by an official (as an administrative law judge) or a body (as a review board) of an administrative agency regarding an agency action and especially an action under dispute
—
confirmation hearing
: a hearing conducted by the U.S. Senate to examine a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court
Note: Article II of the U.S. Constitution provides for presidential appointment of Supreme Court justices “by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.”
: a hearing held in a bankruptcy case prior to the confirmation of a proposed bankruptcy plan
—
discharge hearing
: a hearing in a bankruptcy case in which a debtor is informed that his or her discharge has been granted or is told the reasons why it has not been granted
—
fair hearing
: a hearing that is conducted impartially and in accordance with due process and for which the defendant has reasonable opportunity to prepare, the assistance of counsel, the right to present evidence, the opportunity to cross-examine adverse witnesses, and often the right to a jury
—
fatico hearing
\
ˈfa-ti-kō-
\
: a hearing sometimes held prior to the sentencing of a convicted criminal at which the parties may offer evidence as to appropriate sentencing
—
Franks hearing
\
ˈfraŋks-
\
: a hearing to determine whether statements made by police officers in an affidavit that was used to obtain a search warrant by which evidence incriminating the defendant was found are false and constitute perjury or reckless disregard for the truth
—
Huntley hearing
\
ˈhənt-lē-
\
: a Jackson-Denno hearing in the form of procedure used in New York
—
Jackson-Denno hearing
\
ˈjak-sən-ˈde-nō-
\
: a hearing to determine if a confession or statements made by a defendant were given involuntarily and so should be suppressed as evidence
—
Mapp hearing
\
ˈmap-
\
: a hearing to determine whether evidence should be suppressed on the ground that it was obtained as the result of an illegal search and seizure
—
preliminary hearing
: a hearing held after a criminal defendant's first appearance in court especially for the purpose of determining whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the felony with which he or she is charged
called also preliminary examination, probable cause hearing
—
pretermination hearing
\
prē-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən-
\
: a hearing held prior to the termination of a property interest (as employment or a benefit)
—
probable cause hearing
: preliminary hearing in this entry
—
reaffirmation hearing
: a hearing in a bankruptcy case at which a debtor may reaffirm dischargeable debts
Note: The reaffirmation hearing and discharge hearing are usually held simultaneously.
—
suppression hearing
: a hearing held in a criminal case to determine the admissibility of evidence that the defendant seeks to suppress see also motion to suppress at motion
—
taint hearing
: a hearing held in a criminal case to determine if the prosecution's evidence is inadmissible because of some taint (as because it was obtained through procedures that violated the defendant's constitutional rights)
—
valuation hearing
: a hearing held in a bankruptcy case to determine the value of the debtor's property in which a creditor claims a lien or security interest
—
Wade hearing
\
ˈwād-
\
: a hearing in a criminal case to determine whether a witness's identification of the defendant (as in court or in a lineup) is tainted (as because of unfairly suggestive procedures) and therefore inadmissible as evidence
2
: a trial in equity practice
More from Merriam-Webster on hearing
Nglish: Translation of hearing for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of hearing for Arabic Speakers
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