hearing
noun
hear·ing
| \ ˈhir-iŋ
\
\
Definition of hearing
1a
: the process, function, or power of perceiving sound
specifically
: the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli
b
: earshot
2a
: opportunity to be heard, to present one's side of a case, or to be generally known or appreciated
b(1)
: a listening to arguments
(2)
: a preliminary examination in criminal procedure
c
: a session (as of a legislative committee) in which testimony is taken from witnesses
3
chiefly dialectal
: a piece of news
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Examples of hearing in a Sentence
He suffered some loss of hearing in his right ear.
let's make sure she's out of hearing before I tell you what I got her for her birthday
Recent Examples on the Web
In light of the pending criminal charges that resulted from the MSP investigation, the Department will hold another hearing for that member and expects to further amend his duty status. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Off-duty state trooper charged with drunk driving in Chicopee crash that left man seriously hurt," 6 Aug. 2019 Marco Rubio of Florida and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina favor the legislation and held a hearing on red flag laws in March. — Emily Tillett, CBS News, "What is the federal government doing on gun safety legislation?," 5 Aug. 2019 The Planning Commission then holds a hearing and makes a recommendation to Cincinnati City Council. — Max Londberg, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincinnati wants to demolish historic West End church, but Councilman Chris Seelbach says not so fast," 5 Aug. 2019 In 2006, Congress even held a hearing about impeaching him. — Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, "Mathews: Nation’s longest serving judge was a tyrant in the court," 2 Aug. 2019 A year later, Senator Gaylord Nelson held hearings to determine if oral contraception was safe and if women had enough information about its side effects and potential risks. — Brittany Risher, Woman's Day, "Is Your Daughter's Birth Control Pill the Same One You Took As a Teen?," 2 Aug. 2019 City council members are expected to formally consider initial approval of ordinances with the ballot language on Aug. 13 and to hold public hearings and take final action on those ordinances on Aug. 27. — John Fryar, The Denver Post, "Longmont City Council OKs putting taxes, bonds for aquatics center on ballot," 31 July 2019 Matt Hill, and the board of education will hold a public hearing about a possible parcel tax at 7 p.m. Thursday at Burbank City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave. — Andrew J. Campa, Burbank Leader, "Public can weigh in on Burbank Unified’s latest bid to put parcel tax before voters," 30 July 2019 Lindsey Graham, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, has also pledged to hold hearings. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, "Robert Mueller’s Testimony and the Garbled Language of Politics," 28 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hearing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for hearing
hearing
noun
English Language Learners Definition of hearing
: the sense through which a person or animal is aware of sound : the ability to hear
: the distance within which someone's voice can be heard
: an opportunity to explain why you did, said, or believe something
See the full definition for hearing in the English Language Learners Dictionary
hearing
noun
hear·ing
| \ ˈhir-iŋ\
Kids Definition of hearing
1
: the act or power of taking in sound through the ear : the sense by which a person hears
2
: earshot
I yelled, but he was out of hearing.
3
: a chance to be heard or known
Give both sides a fair hearing.
4
: a meeting at which arguments or testimony is heard
a court hearing
hearing
noun
hear·ing
Medical Definition of hearing
: the act or power of apprehending sound
specifically
: one of the special senses of vertebrates that is concerned with the perception of sound, is mediated through the organ of Corti of the ear in mammals, is normally sensitive in humans to sound vibrations between 16 and 27,000 hertz but most receptive to those between 2000 and 5000 hertz, is conducted centrally by the cochlear branch of the auditory nerve, and is coordinated especially in the medial geniculate body
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hearing
noun
hear·ing
Legal Definition of hearing
1
: a proceeding of relative formality at which evidence and arguments may be presented on the matter at issue to be decided by a person or body having decision-making authority — compare trial
Note: The purpose of a hearing is to provide the opportunity for each side of a dispute, and especially a person who may be deprived of his or her rights, to present its position. A hearing, along with notice, is a fundamental part of procedural due process. Hearings are also held, as for example by a legislature or an administrative agency, for the purpose of gathering information and hearing the testimony of witnesses.
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administrative hearing
: a hearing conducted by an official (as an administrative law judge) or a body (as a review board) of an administrative agency regarding an agency action and especially an action under dispute
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confirmation hearing
1
: a hearing conducted by the U.S. Senate to examine a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court
Note: Article II of the U.S. Constitution provides for presidential appointment of Supreme Court justices “by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.”
2
: a hearing held in a bankruptcy case prior to the confirmation of a proposed bankruptcy plan
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discharge hearing
: a hearing in a bankruptcy case in which a debtor is informed that his or her discharge has been granted or is told the reasons why it has not been granted
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fair hearing
: a hearing that is conducted impartially and in accordance with due process and for which the defendant has reasonable opportunity to prepare, the assistance of counsel, the right to present evidence, the opportunity to cross-examine adverse witnesses, and often the right to a jury
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fatico hearing
\ ˈfa-ti-kō- \