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Synonyms

hearing

American  
[heer-ing] / ˈhɪər ɪŋ /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • hearingless adjective
  • prehearing noun
  • unhearing adjective

Etymology

Origin of hearing

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Still, it will likely change the mood, Winkler said — most hearings are quiet and academic.

From Los Angeles Times

European Command and top military chief at NATO, told Congress in a hearing earlier this month that the network of U.S. alliances in Europe were crucial for the U.S. military’s ability to “project power globally.”

From The Wall Street Journal

There was no application for bail during the hearing, which lasted for about five minutes.

From BBC

Even by the Supreme Court’s lofty standards, Wednesday’s hearing will be one for the ages.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many of the genes within these supergenes influence traits essential for survival and reproduction, including vision, hearing, and behaviour.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.