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

: 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

ˈhir-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• ascertain
• catch on (to)
• discover
• find out
• get on (to)
• learn
• realize
• see
• wise (up)

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.

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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

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

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

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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