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

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web At least 16 must be present to hear evidence or deliberate. Alanna Durkin Richer And Meg Kinnard, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Mar. 2023 To hear interviews with the cast and creators of The Mandalorian as well as full episode breakdowns, check out EW's Dagobah Dispatch podcast. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2023 The performance will mark the first chance to hear how Black Breath guitarist Eric Wallace sounds in tandem with returning member Tim Diedrich, but most fans will likely be tuned into frontwoman Christine Davis. Brad Sanders, Chron, 21 Mar. 2023 To hear Binstock tell it, Maria’s paintings include one of the most popular: Girl With a Red Hat, at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C. Lawrence Weschler, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2023 The Ozempic Era 0:00 / 0:00 To hear more, download the Audm app. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023 The Supreme Court will hear two consolidated cases over the dispute on Monday at arguments beginning at 10 a.m. EST. Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2023 Luckily, this won't be the only time folks see (or rather, hear) Ryan this year. Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 19 Mar. 2023 In a typical study, people hear a few seconds of a song. Gary Stix, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2023 See More

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.

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 26 Mar. 2023.

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

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