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hear

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The definition of hear is to perceive a sound with your ears, or is being told or learning about something.

(verb)

An example of hear is when a bell rings and you are aware of it.
An example of hear is when you learn through listening to gossip that your new boss is a jerk.
An example of hear is when you are aware of a new science project.

See hear in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb heard , hearing

to perceive or sense (sounds), esp. through stimulation of auditory nerves in the ear by sound waves
to listen to and consider; specif.,
1. to take notice of; pay attention to: hear what I tell you
2. to listen to officially; give a formal hearing to: to hear a child's lessons
3. to conduct an examination or hearing of (a law case, etc.); try
4. to consent to; grant: hear my plea
5. to understand: I hear you
6. to be a member of the audience at (an opera, lecture, etc.)
to be informed of; be told; learn: to hear a rumor

Origin: ME heren < OE hieran, akin to Ger hören (Goth hausjan) < IE base *keu-, to notice, observe > L cavere, be on one's guard, Gr koein, to perceive, hear

intransitive verb

to have a normally functioning ear or ears; be able to hear sounds
to listen
to be told or informed (of or about)

Related Forms:

hearer noun

See hear in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb heard heard (hûrd), hear·ing, hears

verb, transitive

To perceive (sound) by the ear: Can you hear the signal?
To learn by hearing; be told by others: I heard she got married.
a. To listen to attentively: Hear what I have to tell you.
b. To listen to in an official, professional, or formal capacity: heard the last witness in the afternoon.
c. To listen to and consider favorably: Lord, hear my prayer!
d. To attend or participate in: hear Mass.

verb, intransitive

To be capable of perceiving sound.
To receive news or information; learn: I heard about your accident.
To consider, permit, or consent to something. Used only in the negative: I won't hear of your going!

Phrasal Verb: hear from To get a letter, telephone call, or transmitted communication from. To be reprimanded by: If you don't do your homework, you're going to hear from me.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English hearen

Origin: , Old English hīeran; see kous- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: