hearing

noun

: 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

Full Definition of HEARING

a : the process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically : the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli

b : earshot

a : 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

chiefly dialect : a piece of news

See hearing defined for English-language learners

See hearing defined for kids

First Known Use of HEARING

13th century

Related to HEARING

Synonyms: hail, earshot, sound

HEARING Defined for Kids

hearing

noun hear·ing \ˈhir-iŋ\

Definition of HEARING for Kids

: the act or power of taking in sound through the ear : the sense by which a person hears

: earshot <I yelled, but he was out of hearing.>

: a chance to be heard or known <Give both sides a fair hearing.>

: a meeting at which arguments or testimony is heard <a court hearing>

Medical Dictionary

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