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)

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The court is scheduled to hear additional arguments on Jan. 15. Kevin Bessler | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Dec. 2024 Eschewing cult-leader cliché for a plummy everyday friendliness that eventually circles round to sinister, Ben Whishaw cleverly plays Elon as equal parts guru and grifter: His counsel is sometimes obvious, but what the person needs to hear just the same. Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Dec. 2024 The teams weren’t aligned on what their clients needed to hear, and that misalignment was holding them back. Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024 The goal is for your audience to fully understand the story, even without hearing a word. Michael Chad Hoeppner, TIME, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hear 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hear was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hear

Cite this Entry

“Hear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hear. Accessed 1 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

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

Medical Definition

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

More from Merriam-Webster on hear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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