1 [noncount] : the sense through which a person or animal is aware of sound : the ability to hear
▪ Her hearing is good/poor. ▪ He suffered some loss of hearing in his right ear. ▪ She is hearing-impaired. [=not able to hear well] — see also hard of hearing at ¹hard 2 [noncount] : the distance within which someone's voice can be heard
▪ She stayed within hearing of her mother's voice. [=she stayed close enough to her mother to hear her voice] 3 [count] : an opportunity to explain why you did, said, or believe something — usually singular ▪ They agreed to give both sides a fair hearing. [=they agreed to listen to and consider statements from both sides] 4 [count] : a meeting or session at which evidence and arguments about a crime, complaint, etc., are presented to a person or group who will have to decide on what action should be taken
▪ The judge has granted them a hearing. ▪ The committee held public hearings on the bill.