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.
On a warm April Friday, gaggles of children gather between stark white columns painted with bright blue markings reminiscent of petals, listening in as a tour guide distills the core tenets of ancient Egyptian philosophy. Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025 However, if someone listens in private mode, those sessions won't count towards other categories, like top albums. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025 Here's how the world listened in 2025, and which Tennessee artists came out on top. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025 The men who listened in within that final players’ huddle Sunday, and who watched from the sideline, know how rare this is. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Listen in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen%20in. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

listen in

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