hearing

hear-ing · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The faculty or sense by which sound is perceived.

  2. 2.

    An opportunity to state one's case or be listened to.

  3. 3.

    A formal session in a court or before a legislative committee at which evidence or testimony is presented.

  4. 4.

    The range within which sound can be heard.

Forms

plural: hearings

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    hard of hearing — having impaired hearing
  • •
    give someone a hearing — to listen to someone's case or opinion
  • •
    within hearing — close enough to hear
  • •
    hearing aid — a device to amplify sound for those with hearing loss

Related words

Antonyms: deafness
See also: deaf, hear, listen, sound
Synonyms: audition, session, trial

Etymology

From Old English hieran ("to hear") with the suffix -ing. The legal sense developed in the 14th century.