1. formal meetings where evidence or testimony is presented and examined, especially in legal or official proceedings
Usage: legal; formal
2. the sense by which sound is perceived; the ability to hear

Examples

• The committee scheduled public hearings on the proposed legislation.
• Congressional hearings were broadcast live on television.
• The judge postponed the hearings until next month.
• Her hearing was damaged by years of loud music.
• The doctor tested the patient’s hearing with various tones.
• Age-related hearing loss affects many elderly people.
• The confirmation hearings lasted three days.