Definition

1. Noun:
   • The faculty or sense by which sound is perceived: The ability to hear through the ear.
   • An opportunity to present one's views: A chance to be listened to, especially in a formal context.
   • A formal session for listening to evidence or arguments: An official proceeding, often before a court, committee, or legislative body, where testimony is taken and facts are examined.
   • The act of listening attentively: The action of paying attention to sound or speech.
   • Earshot; the range within which a sound can be heard: The distance over which a voice or sound can be perceived.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Auditory Faculty):
  • His hearing is very sharp; he can hear a whisper from across the room.
  • The accident caused permanent damage to her hearing.
• Noun (Opportunity to be Heard):
  • The manager gave the employee a fair hearing before making a decision.
  • They demanded a hearing to present their side of the story.
• Noun (Formal Proceeding):
  • The congressional hearing on the new law lasted for three days.
  • The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for next week.
• Noun (Act of Listening):
  • Careful hearing of the instructions is crucial for this task.
• Noun (Earshot):
  • Stay within hearing so I can call you if I need help.
  • They were discussing secrets, unaware we were within hearing.

Advanced Usage

• "To give someone a hearing": To listen to someone's case or argument.
  • The council agreed to give the protesters a hearing.
• "A fair hearing": An impartial chance to state one's case.
  • Everyone is entitled to a fair hearing in a court of law.
• "Hard of hearing": Partially deaf; having impaired hearing.
  • Please speak up; my grandfather is hard of hearing.

Variants and Related Words

• Hear (verb): To perceive sound with the ear.
  • I can hear the birds singing.
• Hearer (noun): One who hears or listens.
  • The speaker captivated every hearer in the audience.
• Hearable (adjective): Able to be heard.
  • The signal was barely hearable over the noise.

Synonyms

• Audition: The sense or power of hearing.
• Audience: A formal hearing or interview.
• Earshot: The range within which sound can be heard.
• Listening: The act of paying attention to sounds.

Related Phrases

• In/within hearing: Close enough to be heard.
  • She spoke softly, but he was still within hearing.
• Out of hearing: Too far away to be heard.
  • They walked away, soon out of hearing.

Adjective

1. able to perceive sound

Noun

1. the ability to hear; the auditory faculty
   • his hearing was impaired
2. a session (of a committee or grand jury) in which witnesses are called and testimony is taken
   • the investigative committee will hold hearings in Chicago
3. the act of hearing attentively
   • you can learn a lot by just listening
   • they make good music--you should give them a hearing
4. the range within which a voice can be heard
   • the children were told to stay within earshot
5. an opportunity to state your case and be heard
   • they condemned him without a hearing
   • he saw that he had lost his audience
6. (law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence