hearing

(noun) (law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence.

(noun) an opportunity to state your case and be heard. Synonyms: audience. Examples: "They condemned him without a hearing." "He saw that he had lost his audience."

(noun) the range within which a voice can be heard. Synonyms: earshot, earreach. Example: "The children were told to stay within earshot."

(noun) the act of hearing attentively. Synonyms: listening. Examples: "You can learn a lot by just listening." "They make good music--you should give them a hearing."

(noun) a session (of a committee or grand jury) in which witnesses are called and testimony is taken. Example: "The investigative committee will hold hearings in chicago."

(noun) the ability to hear; the auditory faculty. Synonyms: audition, auditory sense, sense of hearing, auditory modality. Example: "His hearing was impaired."

(verb) perceive (sound) via the auditory sense. Synonyms: hear.

(verb) get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally. Synonyms: learn, hear, get word, get wind, pick up, find out, get a line, discover, see. Examples: "I learned that she has two grown-up children." "I see that you have been promoted."

(verb) examine or hear (evidence or a case) by judicial process. Synonyms: hear, try. Examples: "The jury had heard all the evidence." "The case will be tried in california."

(verb) receive a communication from someone. Synonyms: hear. Example: "We heard nothing from our son for five years."

(verb) listen and pay attention. Synonyms: listen, hear, take heed. Examples: "Listen to your father." "We must hear the expert before we make a decision."

(adj) able to perceive sound. Synonyms: hearing(prenominal) (vs. deaf).