hearing

[heer-ing]

noun

1. the faculty or sense by which sound is perceived.

2. the act of perceiving sound.

3. opportunity to be heard.

   to grant a hearing.

4. an instance or a session in which testimony and arguments are presented, especially before an official, as a judge in a lawsuit.

   Synonyms: consultation, conference, audience

5. a preliminary examination of the basic evidence and charges by a magistrate to determine whether criminal procedures, a trial, etc., are justified.

6. earshot.

   Their conversation was beyond my hearing.

hearing

/ ˈhɪərɪŋ /

noun

1. the faculty or sense by which sound is perceived

2. an opportunity to be listened to

3. the range within which sound can be heard; earshot

4. the investigation of a matter by a court of law, esp the preliminary inquiry into an indictable crime by magistrates

5. a formal or official trial of an action or lawsuit

Other Word Forms

• hearingless adjective
• prehearing noun
• unhearing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearing¹

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; hear, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

At a recent House hearing, Mr Discaya admitted to paying kickbacks to lawmakers - "We couldn't do anything but play along with them" - but the Congressmen disputed his allegation.

From BBC

In the run-up to that hearing, the city hired Gibson Dunn, a powerhouse law firm that secured a landmark Supreme Court ruling that upheld laws prohibiting homeless people from camping in public spaces.

From Los Angeles Times

The defence has asked the court to order the suppression of the alleged statements and has requested a hearing so the issue can be decided.

From BBC

“They deserve the truth and that’s what we’re going to give them for the first time in the history of the agency,” Kennedy told the Senate Finance Committee earlier this month during a contentious hearing.

From Los Angeles Times

The hearing at Liverpool Town Hall also heard questions raised about whether the parents of killer Axel Rudakubana had been neglectful in allowing him to buy knives prior to the killings, on 29 July 2024.

From BBC

Related Words

• audit 
• conference 
• consultation 
• discussion 
• inquiry 
• interview 
• investigation 
• meeting 
• negotiation 
• presentation 
• reception 
• review 
• test 
• trial