hear

verb

ˈhir 

heard ˈhərd  ; hearing 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

a

: to gain knowledge of by hearing

heard that you were ill

b

: detect sense 2

heard anger in his voice

3

a

: to listen to with attention : heed

would not hear my side of the story

b

: attend

hear mass

4

law

a

: to listen to legal arguments in : to give a legal hearing to or about

hear a case

b(1)

: to take testimony from

hear witnesses

(2)

: to take (as testimony) at a hearing

heard statements from 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

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

hearer

ˈhir-ər 

noun

Phrases

hear of

1

: to be aware of the existence of

I've never heard of him.

2

: to entertain the idea

—used in the negative

wouldn't hear of it

hear out

: to listen to (someone who wants to tell something)

I know you don't agree but hear me out.

Synonyms of hear

• realize
• see
• discover
• learn
• find

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 on the Web

Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. —Caren Bohan, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025

This week, the Supreme Court hears arguments on whether the Republican president has overstepped federal law with many of his tariffs. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025

As for one consistent complaint heard muttered amid bleary-eyed guests of the former Standard, Schrager confirms the appropriate adjustments have been made. —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025

Ren Yamamoto wanted to make young rural women's voices heard. —Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing hear

• hear crickets
• hear from
• hear oneself think
• hear the call of the wild
• hear the last of it
• hear the last of (something)
• hear wedding bells
• I hear what you're saying
• never/not hear the end of it
• not hear of
• you could hear a pin drop

Rhymes for hear

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• here

Kids Definition

hear

verb

ˈhi(ə)r 

heard ˈhərd  ; hearing ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ 

1

: to take in through the ear

hear music

also : to have the power of taking in sound

doesn't hear well

2

: to gain knowledge of by hearing : learn

heard you're leaving

3

: to listen to : heed

hear me out

4

a

: to give a legal hearing to

hear a case

b

: to take testimony from

hear witnesses

5

a

: to get news

heard from them yesterday

b

: to have knowledge

never heard of such a thing

6

: to consider the idea

wouldn't hear of it

hearer

ˈhir-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

hear

verb

ˈhi(ə)r 

heard ˈhərd  ; hearing ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ 

transitive verb

: to perceive or apprehend by the ear

intransitive verb

: to have the capacity of apprehending sound

Legal Definition

hear

transitive verb

heard; hearing

1

a

: to give a hearing to

the court heard the claims

the judge agreed to hear argument on the objection

b

: to conduct a hearing about

the magistrate's authority to hear a matter properly before him

2

a

: to take testimony from

the committee will hear 30 witnesses

b

: to take (as testimony) at a hearing

the judge heard statements from the victim's family