hearing

1. In law, a legal proceeding in which evidence is presented before a judge in order to determine an issue of fact. A hearing typically occurs when there exists a dispute about a legal issue prior to a trial.
2. A meeting of a legislative or administrative body in order to gather information about some topic.
3. Reconsideration of a claim for Social Security disability benefits after the initial claim has been rejected a second time. The request for a hearing results in the case being sent to an administrative law judge.