hearing

noun

hear·​ing ˈhir-iŋ 

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

was out of/within hearing

2

a

: opportunity to be heard, to present one's side of a case, or to be generally known or appreciated

at least give me a hearing

b

: an act or instance of listening to arguments

law : 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 authority: such as

a

: a preliminary examination in a criminal case especially for the purpose of determining whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime charged

b

: a session (as of a legislative committee) in which testimony is taken from witnesses

c

: a proceeding conducted by an authorized official or a body (as a review board) to review disputes involving a government agency

3

a

: an instance of learning

called immediately on hearing of the incident

b

chiefly dialectal : a piece of news

Synonyms of hearing

• sound
• sight

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

Her next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. —Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Fiengo’s mother, father, aunt and grandmother delivered victim impact statements. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025

The amendment invests an additional $450,000 in Birth to Three providers, which help families with children who experience disabilities and developmental delays, including vision and hearing challenges, during the crucial early stage of development. —Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 2025

The full 9th Circuit agreed to reconsider its decision but hasn’t set a date yet for its hearing. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hearing

• a fair hearing
• be hearing things
• hard of hearing
• hearing aid
• hearing dog
• within hearing
• within hearing distance

Rhymes for hearing

• cheering
• clearing
• earing
• earring
• fearing
• gearing
• jeering
• leering
• nearing
• peering
• rearing
• searing

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