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)

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Jurors heard evidence that Klemp made numerous threats to kill his victims for reporting the abuse, per The Press Enterprise - but the child managed to escape and disclose the abuse to her therapist. —Christina Coulter, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2023

But then, as SpaceX mission control waited to hear a signal from Starship, there was only silence. —Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 18 Nov. 2023

Tal Shani, 47, remembers hearing rockets and explosions early on the morning of Oct. 7. —William Booth, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023

Kaitlin Armstrong enters the courtroom to hear the verdict in her murder trial Thursday in Austin, Texas. —Rebeccah Glaser, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2023

Louder, more widespread calls for donations can be heard around the country. —Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 17 Nov. 2023

Advertisement Dispatchers then heard the resident fire a single gunshot. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023

Earlier this month, a federal judge in Texas blocked the lawsuit, agreeing with SpaceX’s position that administrative law judges such as the one who would hear the case did not have the constitutional authority to do so. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2023

The passengers are on their way to hear the great diva Florencia Grimaldi sing at the Belle Époque opera house in Manaus, Brazil. —Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 17 Nov. 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 oneself think
• hear from
• hear of
• hear the last of (something)
• hear the call of the wild
• hear out
• hear the last of it
• you could hear a pin drop
• I hear what you're saying
• never/not hear the end of it
• hear wedding bells
• not hear of
• hear crickets

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

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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