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
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2025
This is your cue to step back, listen and release control.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Caos isn’t an easy listen, often fading into a bleary haze and not quite coherently fulfilling the implications of its concept.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listen
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Verb
Check that out and listen to the full EP below.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2025
This is your cue to step back, listen and release control.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
Since that first listen, Miller’s admiration for the Puerto Rican superstar, 31, has only grown.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Caos isn’t an easy listen, often fading into a bleary haze and not quite coherently fulfilling the implications of its concept.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listen
Cite this Entry
“Listen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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