A formal proceeding held before trial to discuss issues of law or of fact. They can be used to narrow down the issues needed to be argued at trial or to help facilitate settlement.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
hearing (noun)1.
a) the process, function, or power of perceiving sound , specifically the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli
b) - earshot
2.
a) opportunity to be , to present one's side of a case, or to be generally known or appreciated - heard
b) (1) a listening to arguments
(2) a preliminary examination in criminal procedure
c) a session (as of a legislative committee) in which testimony is taken from witnesses
3.
chiefly dialect a piece of news
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
hearing (noun)range of hearing
SYNONYMS:
hail, hearing, soundRELATED WORDS:
volume; distance, sight