Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: LAW

Language: Old English
Origin: hieran

hear

 verb
     
hear S1 W1 past tense and past participle heard
1

hear sounds/words etc

[intransitive,transitive not in progressive] to know that a sound is being made, using your ears:
Blanche heard a crash as the back door was flung open.
Did anyone see or hear anything last night?
Old Zeke doesn't hear too well any more.
hear somebody/something doing something
Jenny could hear them arguing outside.
hear somebody do something
She heard Tom go upstairs.
hear what/who etc
I couldn't hear what they were saying most of the time.
be heard to do something
She didn't want to be heard to criticize him.
! Do not confuse hear with listen to, which means 'hear and pay attention to': You should listen to my advice (NOT You should hear my advice).
2

listen to somebody/something

[transitive not in progressive] to listen to what someone is saying, the music they are playing etc:
Maggie did not wait to hear an answer.
Did you hear that programme on whales the other night?
hear what
I want to hear what the doctor has to say.
I hear what you say/what you're saying spoken (=used to tell someone that you have listened to their opinion, but do not agree with it)
I hear what you say, but I don't think we should rush this decision.
3

be told something

[intransitive,transitive not usually in progressive] to be told or find out a piece of information:
I heard a rumor that he was getting married soon.
hear (that)
I'm so sorry to hear he died.
She'll be pleased to hear that she can leave hospital tomorrow.
hear about
Teresa heard about the decision later.
hear of
I've heard of a job which would be just right for you.
This was the first I'd heard of any trouble in the area (=I had just heard news of trouble for the first time).
He was last heard of in Washington (=he was in Washington the last time someone had information about him).
hear anything/much of somebody/something
We don't hear anything of him these days.
so I hear/so I've heard spoken (=used to say that you have been told something or know it already)
There's a nasty infection going round, so I hear.
hear what/how/who etc
Did you hear what happened to Julia?
I've heard it said that they met in Italy.
4

in court

[transitive]SCL to listen to all the facts in a case in a court of law in order to make a legal decision:
The Supreme Court heard the case on Tuesday.
5

have heard of somebody/something

to know that someone or something exists because they have been mentioned to you before:
'Do you know Jill Marshall?' 'No, I've never heard of her.'
6

not hear the last of somebody

used to say that someone will continue to complain about something or cause problems:
I'll sue him. He hasn't heard the last of me yet.
7

you could hear a pin drop

used to emphasize how quiet a place is:
You could have heard a pin drop in there.
8 spoken

won't/wouldn't hear of it

used to say that you refuse to agree with a suggestion or proposal:
I said we should go back, but Dennis wouldn't hear of it.
9 spoken

I/he etc will never hear the end of it

used to say that someone will continue to talk about something for a long time:
If my Mum finds out, I'll never hear the end of it.
10 spoken

be hearing things

to imagine you can hear a sound when really there is no sound:
There's no one there. I must be hearing things.
11 spoken

(do) you hear?

used to emphasize that you are giving someone an order and they must obey you:
I want you to leave right now. Do you hear?
12 spoken

you can't hear yourself think

used to emphasize how noisy a place is:
Just shut up, Tom. I can't hear myself think.
13 spoken

now hear this!

American English old use used to introduce an important official announcement
14 spoken

hear! hear!

used in a discussion or meeting to say that you agree with what the speaker is saying
15 spoken

have you heard the one about...

used when asking someone if they know a joke
16 spoken

I've heard that one before

used when you do not believe someone's excuse or explanation

hear from somebody

phrasal verb
1 to receive news or information from someone:
Do you ever hear from Jack?
Police want to hear from anyone who has any information.
I look forward to hearing from you (=hope to receive news from you).
2 to listen to someone giving their opinion in a radio or television discussion programme:
a chance to hear from some of the victims of violent crime

hear somebody out

phrasal verb
to listen to all of what someone wants to tell you without interrupting them:
Just hear me out, will you?
Definition of hear from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic LAW
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