hear / hi(ə)r/ • v. (past heard / hərd/ ) [tr.] perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something): behind her she could hear men's voices | [tr.] she had never been heard to complain | [intr.] he did not hear very well. ∎  be told or informed of: have you heard the news? | they heard that I had moved | [intr.] I was shocked to hear of her death. ∎  [intr.] (have heard of) be aware of; know of the existence of: nobody had ever heard of my college. ∎  [intr.] (hear from) be contacted by (someone), esp. by letter or telephone: if you would like to join the committee, we would love to hear from you. ∎  listen or pay attention to: she just doesn't hear what I'm telling her. ∎  (hear someone out) listen to all that someone has to say: Joseph gravely heard them out but never offered advice. ∎  [intr.] (will/would not hear of) will or would not allow or agree to: I won't hear of such idiocy. ∎  Law listen to and judge (a case or plaintiff): an all-woman jury heard the case. ∎  listen to and grant (a prayer): our Heavenly Father has heard our prayers.PHRASES: be hearing things see thing.be unable to hear oneself think inf. used to complain about very loud noise or music: I hate bars where you can't hear yourself think.hear! hear! used to express one's wholehearted agreement, esp. with something said in a speech.hear tell of (or that) be informed of (or that): I heard tell that he went out west.DERIVATIVES: hear·a·ble adj.hear·er n.