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
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
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)
Synonyms
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.
I heard her in concert a few years ago.
Have you ever heard Wagner sung in English?
The committee will hear witnesses today.
I hear he's leaving town.
I don't know what happened. I'll let you know if I hear anything.
I've heard it said that smoking is bad for your health.
Recent Examples on the Web
Courtney Hiatt, who graduated from the cadet academy in April, said hearing how firefighters dealt with their mental health was extremely helpful.
—
Fernanda Figueroa, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Address Buyer Skepticism And AI Overload Many buyers have heard lofty claims about how AI will solve their problems from a flood of vendors.
—Evan Powell, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Like Lazarus, Cordella had few details about how the split would work, something that NBC’s sports rights partners are likely eager to hear more about.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
Earlier this year, the Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hear 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Fernanda Figueroa, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Address Buyer Skepticism And AI Overload Many buyers have heard lofty claims about how AI will solve their problems from a flood of vendors.
—Evan Powell, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Like Lazarus, Cordella had few details about how the split would work, something that NBC’s sports rights partners are likely eager to hear more about.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
Earlier this year, the Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hear
Dictionary Entries Near hear
Cite this Entry
“Hear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hear. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hear
verb
heard
ˈhərd 
; hearing
ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
; hearing
ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
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
hear
verb
heard
ˈhərd
; hearing
ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
; hearing
ˈhi(ə)r-iŋ
: to perceive or apprehend by the ear
: to have the capacity of apprehending sound
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