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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The low, squelching funk of the beat and Richman’s high falsetto were tuned to such a uniquely perfect frequency that everyone was happy to hear them, again and again, and again. —Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024

Occasionally there are people who are not gracious or not as willing to hear other perspectives. —Kimberly A. Whitler, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Disney appealed the decision, but the California Supreme Court declined to hear the case, which effectively ended its legal fight. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024

Now a chef at the Department of Justice and the father of two children with autism, two and three years old, Smith said hearing about the incident hit him hard. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024

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

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