hearing

[heer-ing]

noun

1. the faculty or sense by which sound is perceived.

2. the act of perceiving sound.

3. opportunity to be heard.

   to grant a hearing.

4. an instance or a session in which testimony and arguments are presented, especially before an official, as a judge in a lawsuit.

   Synonyms: consultation, conference, audience

5. a preliminary examination of the basic evidence and charges by a magistrate to determine whether criminal procedures, a trial, etc., are justified.

6. earshot.

   Their conversation was beyond my hearing.

hearing

/ ˈhɪərɪŋ /

noun

1. the faculty or sense by which sound is perceived

2. an opportunity to be listened to

3. the range within which sound can be heard; earshot

4. the investigation of a matter by a court of law, esp the preliminary inquiry into an indictable crime by magistrates

5. a formal or official trial of an action or lawsuit

Other Word Forms

• hearingless adjective
• prehearing noun
• unhearing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearing¹

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; hear, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In his Senate hearing Kennedy said the CDC had lied to Americans in the pandemic about mask wearing, social distancing and the ability of the vaccine to stop the transmission of coronavirus.

From BBC

Among the examples of Monguia’s misconduct reviewed by the panel included a November 2022 preliminary hearing of a man accused of assaulting a security guard.

From Los Angeles Times

At an Aug. 26 hearing in Tennessee’s 21st Judicial District, Cutler pleaded guilty to the DUI charge.

From Los Angeles Times

Jones is well acquainted with heavy prep work — for “CODA,” she learned American Sign Language to play the only hearing member of the Rossi family and how to fish.

From Los Angeles Times

Takano framed the event as a roundtable, rather than congressional hearing, after the VA declined to send any staff to answer questions and no Republicans on the committee agreed to attend.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• audit 
• conference 
• consultation 
• discussion 
• inquiry 
• interview 
• investigation 
• meeting 
• negotiation 
• presentation 
• reception 
• review 
• test 
• trial