hear

verb \ ˈhir \

heard play \ˈhərd\; hearing play \ˈhir-iŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to perceive or become aware of by the ear

didn't hear what she said

thought I heard them leave

2 : to gain knowledge of by hearing

heard that you were ill

3 a : to listen to with attention : heed

would not hear my side of the story

b : attend

hear mass

4 a law : to give a listening to legal arguments in : to give a legal hearing to

hear a case

b law : to take testimony from

hear witnesses

intransitive verb

1 : to have the capacity of perceiving sound : to be able to become aware of sound

He doesn't hear well.

2 a : to gain information : learn

tired of hearing about his problems

b : to receive communication

haven't heard from her lately

3 : to entertain the idea —used in the negative

wouldn't hear of it

4 —often used in the expression Hear! Hear! to express approval (as during a speech)

—

hearer

play \ˈhir-ər\ noun

See hear defined for English-language learners

See hear defined for kids

Examples of hear in a Sentence

Do you hear that music?
I couldn't hear a word of what he said over all that noise.
I thought I heard him leave.
Would you turn the volume up a little? I can't hear.
I heard her in concert a few years ago.
Have you ever heard Wagner sung in English?
The committee will hear witnesses today.
I hear he's leaving town.
I don't know what happened. I'll let you know if I hear anything.
I've heard it said that smoking is bad for your health.

Recent Examples of hear from the Web

Someone called police after hearing what sounded like a single gunshot from a large caliber gun at about 7:13 a.m. Aug. 25 in the 1900 block of East Van Beck Avenue.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "South Now Police Reports: Man punches woman and throws spaghetti around residence," 30 Aug. 2017
Meanwhile, board member Charlene Tabet suggested a monthly joint committee to hear regular updates.

— priscella vega, Burbank Leader, "Amid budget hurdles, Burbank school officials brainstorm topics to discuss with City Council," 29 Aug. 2017
A Ferrari California T is quicker, but its snarling and barking V-8 seems a bit bourgeois after hearing the DB11’s 12-cylinder roar.

— james lipman, Car and Driver, "2017 Aston Martin DB11," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hear

Middle English heren, from Old English hīeran; akin to Old High German hōren to hear, and probably to Latin cavēre to be on guard, Greek akouein to hear

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year