ear

noun \ ˈir \

Definition of ear

1 a : the characteristic vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium consisting in the typical mammal of a sound-collecting outer ear separated by the tympanic membrane from a sound-transmitting middle ear that in turn is separated from a sensory inner ear by membranous fenestrae

b : any of various organs (as of a fish) capable of detecting vibratory motion

2 : the external ear of humans and most mammals

3 a : the sense or act of hearing

b : acuity of hearing

c : sensitivity to musical tone and pitch; also : the ability to retain and reproduce music that has been heard

d : sensitivity to nuances of language especially as revealed in the command of verbal melody and rhythm or in the ability to render a spoken idiom accurately

4 : something resembling a mammalian ear in shape, position, or function: such as

a : a projecting part (such as a lug or handle)

b : either of a pair of tufts of lengthened feathers on the head of some birds

5 : attention, awareness

lend an ear

6 : a space in the upper corner of the front page of a periodical (such as a newspaper) usually containing advertising for the periodical itself or a weather forecast

7 : a person who listens : listener

looking for a friendly ear

— all ears

: eagerly listening

if anybody spoke of that grisly matter, I was all ears … and alert to hear what might be said
—Mark Twain

— by ear

: without reference to or memorization of written music

plays by ear

— in one ear and out the other

: through one's mind without making an impression

everything you say to him goes in one ear and out the other

— on one's ear

: in or into a state of irritation, shock, or discord

set the racing world on its ear by breaking the record

— up to one's ears

: deeply involved : heavily implicated

up to his ears in shady deals

Illustration of ear

Origin and Etymology of ear

Middle English ere, from Old English ēare; akin to Old High German ōra ear, Latin auris, Greek ous

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

ear

noun

Definition of ear

: the fruiting spike of a cereal (such as wheat or corn) including both the seeds and protective structures

Origin and Etymology of ear

Middle English er, from Old English ēar; akin to Old High German ahir ear, Old English ecg edge — more at edge

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

ear

verb

Definition of ear

intransitive verb

: to form ears in growing

the rye should be earing up

First Known Use of ear

14th century

EAR Defined for Kids

ear

noun \ ˈir \

Definition of ear for Students

1 : the organ of hearing and balance of vertebrates that in most mammals is made up of an outer part that collects sound, a middle part that carries sound, and an inner part that receives sound and sends nerve signals to the brain

2 : the outer part of the ear

She pulled on his ear.

3 : the sense of hearing

a good ear for music

4 : willing or sympathetic attention

The coach had every player's ear.

—

eared

\ˈird\ adjective

a long-eared dog

ear

noun

Definition of ear for Students

: the seed-bearing head of a cereal grass

an ear of corn

Medical Dictionary

ear

noun \ ˈi(ə)r \

medical Definition of ear

1 : the characteristic vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium consisting in the typical mammal of a sound-collecting outer ear separated by the tympanic membrane from a sound-transmitting middle ear that in turn is separated from a sensory inner ear by membranous fenestrae

2 a : the external ear of humans and most mammals

b : a human earlobe