hear

verb

heard ˈhərd How to pronounce hear (audio) ; hearing ˈhir-iŋ How to pronounce hear (audio)

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 noun

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 In less than 50 days, Americans will have made their voices heard on who the next president of the United States will be. Sarah Gleason, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024 Celebrating its 100th Edition this October by bringing together 200 emerging artists, The Other Art Fair is always a great place to meet unrepresented artists in person and hear about their work. Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 Creating an easier and earlier entry point into hearing assistance could help Americans absorb the idea that hearing loss is a spectrum, and that treatment need not be a rite of passage associated with old age. Charley Locke, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2024 Catch up quick: Residents around the Salt Lake Valley and into Utah County reported hearing dull but strong explosion sounds that rattled buildings and frightened pets just after noon. Erin Alberty, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hear 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hear was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hear

Cite this Entry

“Hear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hear. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

hear

verb
heard ˈhərd How to pronounce hear (audio) ; hearing ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce hear (audio)
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 noun

Medical Definition

hear

verb
heard ˈhərd How to pronounce hear (audio) ; hearing ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce hear (audio)

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

More from Merriam-Webster on hear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!