Main Entry: hearing

Function: noun

Date: 13th century

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 dialect : a piece of news