listen in

verb

listened in; listening in; listens in

intransitive verb

1
: to tune in to or monitor a broadcast
2
: to listen to a conversation without participating in it
especially : eavesdrop
listener-in
ˌli-sᵊn-ər-ˈin How to pronounce listen in (audio)
ˌlis-nər-
noun

Examples of listen in in a Sentence

it's not polite to listen in on other people's private conversations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here's a look back at how the world listened in 2023. Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 4 Dec. 2024 Mom told stories, and Pedro listened in a way a child never has the patience for. Bellamy Young, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024 Presence means slowing down in a world that glorifies speed, listening in a world filled with noise, and looking closely in a world obsessed with the surface. Chris Westfall, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 This smells like: Sipping a gin frappé on a French patio, while listening in on a glamorous couple’s riveting back-and-forth. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for listen in 

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of listen in was in 1905

Dictionary Entries Near listen in

Cite this Entry

“Listen in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen%20in. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

listen in

verb
1
: to listen to a broadcast
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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