eavesdrop

verb

eaves·​drop ˈēvz-ˌdräp How to pronounce eavesdrop (audio)
eavesdropped; eavesdropping; eavesdrops

intransitive verb

: to listen secretly to what is said in private
eavesdropper noun

Examples of eavesdrop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The tunable replica circuits operate for a realistic but random amount of time, obscuring the real signal from any eavesdropping attackers. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2024 The cells of your body constantly eavesdrop on your thoughts from the wings of your mind. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 In a brave and singular show, Neal Brennan utilizes three microphones to tell jokes, truths, and one-liners, giving viewers the joy of laughing and eavesdropping at the same time. Eric Farwell, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2024 Imagine a mischievous imp lurking in the shadows, eager to eavesdrop on your whispers to the AI or peek at its replies. Moran Zavdi, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 There is a red recording light to let folks know when the camera is on, but the sensitive mics and translation capabilities may make eavesdropping a little too easy. Condé Nast, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2024 Fielder, who directs 7 of the 10 episodes, regularly shoots Asher and Whitney from a distance, often through a doorway or from behind a window, as though the camera is eavesdropping on their conversation. EW.com, 6 Nov. 2023 Paul herself quickly becomes an object of fascination for many of the students, and the stakes are raised when one of them offers Paul the use of her room to eavesdrop on conversations between the undergraduates. The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024 The first most people knew about phone hacking was when the royal editor of the News of the World and a private investigator for the paper were jailed in 2007 for eavesdropping on messages left by Prince William and others on the phones of royal aides. Jill Lawless, Fortune Europe, 18 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eavesdrop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from eavesdropper, literally, one standing under the drip from the eaves

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eavesdrop was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near eavesdrop

Cite this Entry

“Eavesdrop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eavesdrop. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

eavesdrop

verb
eaves·​drop ˈēvz-ˌdräp How to pronounce eavesdrop (audio)
: to listen secretly to private conversation
eavesdropper noun

Legal Definition

eavesdrop

intransitive verb
eaves·​drop
eavesdropped; eavesdropping
: to listen secretly to what is being said in private without the consent of the speaker compare bug, wiretap
eavesdropper noun

More from Merriam-Webster on eavesdrop

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