listened; listening
ˈli-sᵊn-iŋ 
ˈlis-niŋ
1
: to pay attention to sound
listen to music
2
: to hear something with thoughtful attention : give consideration
listen to a plea
3
: to be alert to catch an expected sound
listen for his step
archaic
: to give ear to : hear
Examples of listen in a Sentence
Verb
I listened as hard as I could, but I couldn't hear a word of what he said over all that noise.
She listened with interest as he told her about his travels.
She tried to warn him of the dangers, but he wouldn't listen.
Recent Examples on the Web
Justin Curto, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
In this paper, Claudia Goldin, the 2023 winner of the Nobel Prize in economic sciences, offers a new theory to help explain why (listen to The Indicator's conversation with her back in 2021).
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025
Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Jan. 2025
In my experience, there is often a drop-off from pre-saves to an actual listen when the song comes out.
—Sam Saideman, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for listen 
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Verb
That tells me that these voters are listening to a lot of Muni Long, and points toward some recognition for her full-length.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
In this paper, Claudia Goldin, the 2023 winner of the Nobel Prize in economic sciences, offers a new theory to help explain why (listen to The Indicator's conversation with her back in 2021).
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
Today's listen Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images The Arabic and Hebrew music landscape has been shaken up by the Israel-Hamas war.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Jan. 2025
In my experience, there is often a drop-off from pre-saves to an actual listen when the song comes out.
—Sam Saideman, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for listen
Dictionary Entries Near listen
Cite this Entry
“Listen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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